60th Anniversary of Korea-Japan Diplomatic Normalization: "Korea-Japan SME Economic Forum"

Over 200 Representatives from Governments, Legislatures, and SMEs of Korea and Japan Gather
Sharing SME Support Policies and Cases of Cooperation

The Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise announced that, together with the National Federation of Small Business Associations of Japan, it held the 'Korea-Japan SME Economic Forum' at the Hyatt Regency in Tokyo, Japan, on November 25 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan.

On the Korean side, over 100 participants attended, including Kim Kimoon, President of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, representatives of various SME sectors, Lee Cheolgyu, Chairman of the National Assembly's Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs, and Startups Committee, Kim Woni and Park Sungmin, committee secretaries, Noh Yongseok, Vice Minister of SMEs and Startups, and Lee Hyuk, Ambassador of Korea to Japan. From Japan, more than 100 people participated, including Mori Hiroshi, President of the National Federation of Small Business Associations, presidents of SME federations from each prefecture, and Ochi Toshiyuki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Kim Kimoon, President of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (left), and Mori Hiroshi, President of the National Federation of Small Business Associations, are posing for a commemorative photo. Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise

The forum began with presentations on strategies for industrial cooperation among SMEs. The first presentation was given by Choi Ugak, CEO of Daesung Hi-Tech, who shared experiences of technological advancement and corporate growth achieved through collaboration with Japanese companies, under the theme "The Emergence of a Global Smart Machining Solution Company Through Korea-Japan Collaboration." Then, Maekawa Naoyuki, Director of the Seoul Office of the Japan External Trade Organization, explained the recent trend of consumers in both countries showing increased interest in each other's cultures and products, and proposed ways to cooperate in consumer markets through cross-border direct purchases and other methods.

During the session on SME support policies by the governments of both countries, Park Sumin, Director of International Trade Cooperation at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, introduced Korea's strategies and support policies for fostering innovative startups under the theme "The Main Players of a Global Startup Powerhouse, Startups Leading the Future." Yamazaki Takuya, Director of Management Support at the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency of Japan, presented on "Japan's SME Support Policies for Creating Growth-Oriented SMEs."

As a side event of the forum, a showcase was set up in the lobby to introduce products from leading Korean SMEs, including K-Food, K-Beauty, and K-Goods. In particular, instant foods and cosmetics attracted significant interest from Japanese businesspeople, serving as an opportunity to confirm the potential for expanded cooperation between the two countries in the consumer goods sector.

In his opening remarks, Kim Kimoon, President of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, stated, "Korea has strengths in advanced fields such as ICT and semiconductors, while Japan excels in materials, components, and precision manufacturing."He added, "Amid intensifying global competition in AI, I hope that SMEs from both countries will become good partners, growing together through complementary cooperation and creating new business opportunities."

Kim further proposed that the second Korea-Japan SME Economic Forum, to be held next year, should take place at the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise in Seoul.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.