On December 9, 2015, the Gifu University Head Office for Glocalization (GHOGL) held the International Student Exchange Forum with Juroku Bank at Academic Core, the University Library. This forum was jointly organized by Gifu University and Juroku Bank for the first time whereby local Gifu enterprises' unique features and their business operations in Japan and abroad were introduced to the participants. The forum also became a valuable occasion to provide them with information about advantages in securing jobs in local industries as well as ideal images of prospective employees that these local industries are pursuing, etc.
Around 40 people including international students of Gifu University and people outside the campus attended, and the forum was facilitated by Ms. Cho Kei Sei, President of Keisei Ltd. After an opening speech by Dr. Hiroyuki Koyama, Vice Director of GHOGL, Mr. Masahiro Furuike, General Manager of Research and Consulting Department, Juroku Research Institute Company gave a speech titled, "Strong Ties between Gifu Prefecture and Asian Countries Endorsed by Data." He spoke about unique characteristics of businesses in Gifu represented by a strong manufacturing sector such as apparel businesses and their robust advancement into Asian markets. In addition, he said that the jobs and works in Japan that are favored most by international students are interpretation and translation assignments. His speech was quite specific and detailed substantiated by numerical data.
Next, Mr. Masami Asano, President of Asano Nenshi Co., Ltd delivered a speech titled, "Family-Run Factory's Dynamic Advance into the Global Market - Transform from a subcontractor into a major manufacturer" and introduced an episode about the birth of "Air Kaol" towel brand, which has already become an established brand in Japan. He also quoted a letter of a Chinese employee, and said that with more international employment in the future, there will be further diminishing national boundaries between Japan and China, Asia and the rest of the world.
Lastly, Mr. Keiichiro Hayashi, President of Gifu Sanken Kogyo, Ltd made a speech titled, "Our Global Business Strategy - Push forward UKAI Caster onto the Global Market" and talked about the company's entry into Chinese and Taiwanese markets. He also referred to the real pleasure of engaging in manufacturing businesses, strong sense of curiosity of international students, and his expectations for their positive approaches for everything.
In a question and answer session, one international student asked to the speakers, "How can I have a smooth communication with the Japanese who do not always speak his or her minds?" In response, Ms. Cho replied, "We, businesspeople want to know more about international students, therefore, please do not hesitate to promote yourself by opening your hearts and speaking your minds." She continued to give the students important tips of job hunting in Japan.