A Shandong government delegation led by Liu Jiayi, Party chief of Shandong, visited Japan from Dec 4 to 8 to deepen cooperation with the country.

Based on unique geographical and resource advantages, Shandong and Japan enjoy close ties in various areas.

According to official statistics, Japan is the province's fifth largest trading partner and third largest source of foreign investment. Shandong's trade with Japan accounts for more than seven percent of the total between China and Japan.

The Shandong delegation visits Toray Industries, a multinational corporation headquartered in Japan. [Photo/dzwww.com]

There are over 1,400 Japanese-invested companies in Shandong, with a total investment of $11.5 billion. Trade between Shandong and Japan reached $22.28 billion last year.

Takashi Asada, chairman of the board of directors of the Japan-China Economic Relations and Trade Center, was impressed by the 21st Shandong Export Commodities Fair held in Osaka in March this year.

"The fair strengthened exchange and mutual understanding and led to more cooperation opportunities. We will continue to promote economic and trade exchange between enterprises on both sides," he said.

The fair was the first of its kind to be held independently by Shandong in a foreign country.

"The fair has become a trademark event and has attracted more and more Shandong-based companies to showcase their products abroad," said Jia Jiqing, an official from the Department of Commerce of Shandong Province.

The Shandong-Japan Emerging Industry Promotion Conference was held on Dec 4 in Osaka. The event is designed to seek more mutual cooperation in emerging industries.

"It means that the local economic and trade cooperation between Shandong and Japan has reached a new starting point," said Zhu Xixin, an official from the Department of Commerce of Shandong Province.

Representatives from Shandong and Japan sign cooperation projects during the Shandong-Japan Emerging Industry Promotion Conference held on Dec 4 in Osaka. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhu stated that previously, Japanese investment in Shandong was mainly in the manufacturing sector, accounting for 87.3 percent of its total, which greatly promoted the development of some manufacturing industrial clusters in Shandong.

As Shandong enters a new round of opening up and is promoting high-quality development and fostering new economic growth drivers as well as promoting the construction of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone and the China-SCO Local Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone, the province has brought new opportunities to deepen exchange and cooperation with Japan.

Kansai is an important base for Japan's manufacturing industry. The region is home to a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises and has large steel, textile, chemical and electronics industries.

In recent years, its optoelectronic equipment, biotechnology, new materials, advanced medicine and other industries have been developing rapidly, which is highly consistent with Shandong's efforts to promote the transformation of new and old growth drivers.

At the promotional conference, cities from Shandong promoted the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, while the Shandong Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission promoted the province's key projects in emerging industries. Osaka and Kobe in Japan promoted themselves and their industries as well, particularly the health industry.

"The event helped both sides to better understand each other's industrial advantages and investment environment. I hope more cooperation opportunities can be generated," said an official from Osaka.

"The elderly population in Shandong province is currently on the rise. Its medical care and health industry has a huge market demand, which means great business opportunities for Japanese enterprises," said a senior member from the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

The Shandong delegation also promoted bilateral cooperation in the fields of digital economy, artificial intelligence, marine economy, new energy and new materials.

The Shandong delegation visits Sun City Yokohama, a retirement community operated by Health Care Japan Co Ltd, a leader in Japan's rapidly growing senior housing industry. [Photo/dzwww.com]