Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry to Visit China for the First Time in 8 Years; Kansai Business Leaders Join the Delegation

The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and leaders from major Kansai economic organizations are set to visit Beijing late this month. This marks the first independent delegation from the JCCI to visit China in eight years.

The delegation includes Masayoshi Matsumoto, Chairman of the Kansai Economic Federation and Chairman of Sumitomo Electric Industries, alongside Shingo Torii, Chairman of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Vice Chairman of Suntory Holdings. Their visit coincides with the China International Supply Chain Expo, held from June 22 to 26. Major Japanese firms, including Sumitomo Electric, Panasonic Holdings, and Daikin Industries, will have exhibits at the expo.

Masayoshi Matsumoto expressed hope for a meeting with Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), which oversees the expo. The CCPIT also managed the Chinese pavilion for the Expo 2025 in Osaka.

The JCCI delegation, comprising approximately 20 executives from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is scheduled to visit from June 21 to 24. Following the postponement of a broader Japanese business delegation earlier this year, the JCCI organized this trip to ensure continuity in business engagement.

While high-level political meetings with the Xi Jinping administration are not on the agenda, the JCCI emphasized that the mission is focused on tangible outcomes. The trip aims to help Japanese SMEs expand market access and address labor shortages. Key activities include business discussions with the e-commerce giant JD.com and on-site observations of 'Physical AI' research, which enables autonomous robotic operations.