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I would like to say a few words of appreciation to you for your continued support to our organization, which has made a fresh start for further progress, as International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC).
FEC was founded in 1983 to promote international exchanges, pursuant to the six pillars of its basic policy; namely "world peace and prosperity", "response to the age of globalization", "private-level diplomacy", "perspective on Asia", "respect for Japan's foreign policy", and "internationalization and regional development". Having recognition on the importance of private-level diplomacy and exchanges, along with the nation's foreign policy, we have encouraged private sector activities for great cause to achieve these noble purposes.
Last year we celebrated our 25th anniversary or "a quarter of a century anniversary", and renamed the organization to International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC), effective March 1, unanimously endorsed by the general meeting as well as the board of directors. The renaming reflects the members' strong desire for a name to more accurately represent the nature of the organization's activities.
Today, as you are aware, we play even more important role in deepening and enhancing friendship between Japan and other regions, countries, and the world at large. In contrast with the bureaucrat-led diplomacy, we have expanded private-sector-led diplomacy over the years, making full use of private-sector vitality and professional assistance from the government.
The result is that we have forged increasingly close ties with governmental and private sector institutions in Asian and European countries as well as Russia, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America, and the United States. Being recognized around the world, FEC is expected to play a greater role in the field.
In the midst of violent changes of international circumstances surrounding Japan, we are confident that we will sustain our efforts towards strengthening relationships with our international partners through programs focused mainly on the eight regionally-based expert panels such as Japan-Europe, Japan-China, and Japan-Russia Cultural and Economic Exchange Committees, to improve mutual understanding, to develop economic cooperation, including investment and trade, and to further cultural exchanges.
Based on the current situation, where we have established and maintained high levels of trust and expectations of both public and private sectors around the world, I am, therefore, pleased to announce that we will commit ourselves toward the further development of FEC through promotion of our activities, and hope for the continued support and cooperation of all concerned, including officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and other domestic and foreign government agencies as well as our corporate, individual, and executive board members.
FEC was founded in 1983 to promote international exchanges, pursuant to the six pillars of its basic policy; namely "world peace and prosperity", "response to the age of globalization", "private-level diplomacy", "perspective on Asia", "respect for Japan's foreign policy", and "internationalization and regional development". Having recognition on the importance of private-level diplomacy and exchanges, along with the nation's foreign policy, we have encouraged private sector activities for great cause to achieve these noble purposes.
Last year we celebrated our 25th anniversary or "a quarter of a century anniversary", and renamed the organization to International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC), effective March 1, unanimously endorsed by the general meeting as well as the board of directors. The renaming reflects the members' strong desire for a name to more accurately represent the nature of the organization's activities.
Today, as you are aware, we play even more important role in deepening and enhancing friendship between Japan and other regions, countries, and the world at large. In contrast with the bureaucrat-led diplomacy, we have expanded private-sector-led diplomacy over the years, making full use of private-sector vitality and professional assistance from the government.
The result is that we have forged increasingly close ties with governmental and private sector institutions in Asian and European countries as well as Russia, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America, and the United States. Being recognized around the world, FEC is expected to play a greater role in the field.
In the midst of violent changes of international circumstances surrounding Japan, we are confident that we will sustain our efforts towards strengthening relationships with our international partners through programs focused mainly on the eight regionally-based expert panels such as Japan-Europe, Japan-China, and Japan-Russia Cultural and Economic Exchange Committees, to improve mutual understanding, to develop economic cooperation, including investment and trade, and to further cultural exchanges.
Based on the current situation, where we have established and maintained high levels of trust and expectations of both public and private sectors around the world, I am, therefore, pleased to announce that we will commit ourselves toward the further development of FEC through promotion of our activities, and hope for the continued support and cooperation of all concerned, including officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and other domestic and foreign government agencies as well as our corporate, individual, and executive board members.
Chihiro Kanagawa
Chairman
International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC)
(Representative Director and Chairman of Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)
Chairman
International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC)
(Representative Director and Chairman of Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)
Chairman's Profile
Name:Chihiro KANAGAWA
Date of birth:March 15, 1926
Education:Graduated from Tokyo University, faculty of law
Career:
Honors:
Name:Chihiro KANAGAWADate of birth:March 15, 1926
Education:Graduated from Tokyo University, faculty of law
Career:
| 1950 | entered Mitsui & Co., LTD. |
| 1962 | entered Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. |
| 1970 | General Manager, Overseas Dept. |
| 1975 | Executive Director |
| 1976 | Senior Executive Director |
| 1979 | Managing Director |
| 1983 | Vice President |
| 1990 to date President and CEO of Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. In June 2001, he was elected as Chairman of International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC). | |
Honors:
| February 1981 | Honorary Citizen of the State of Texas Honorary Citizen of the City of Houston |
| October 1997 | Honorary State Representative of the State of Louisiana Honorary Secretary of the State for Louisiana |
| July 2005 | Japanese Foreign Minister's Award |
| May 27, 2008 | conferred with Vietnam's Friendship Order |
| June 27, 2009 | conferred with the Order of the Stara Planina by the Government of Bulgaria |
| August 1, 2009 | awarded with the Order of "Polar Star" by the Government of Mongolia |
| Currently he is also serving as President of Shintech, Inc. He was awarded the Medal with Blue Ribbon from the Japanese government, the Mainichi Prize, and Egyptian Foreign Minister's Award. | |
Tag
｜FEC