International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC) is a non-profit, international exchange organization established in May 1983 with the aim of strengthening friendly relations between Japan and other countries on the private-sector level as well as deepening international understanding of people at all levels. It is chaired by Mr. Chihiro Kanagawa, President of Shin-Etsu Chemical Ltd., and His Excellency Mr. Kunihiko Saito, former Ambassador to the United States, former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, serves as President. FEC has 1,500 members including corporate members. With support from the government and participation of representatives of foreign countries, FEC fully utilizes the private sector vitality to promote international exchanges, help bring the voice of people to Japan’s diplomacy and support its foreign policies by enhancing people’s understanding of Japan’s diplomatic activities, aiming at prevalence of open diplomacy. It also plays a role in helping its member companies to develop their international business strategies including the launch into foreign market. Its offices are located in Tokyo, Nagoya (central Japan), and Kobe (west Japan). FEC carries out these activities both nationally and internationally.

1. Playing a Responsible Role in Supporting Activities of Japanese Companies to Strengthen their Relations with Countries in the World

1. Since 1996 FEC has established several country-based or region-based committees, including Japan-Europe, Japan-India, Japan-China, Japan-Russia, Japan-ASEAN, Japan-Middle East, Japan-US and Japan-Vietnam Cultural and Economic Exchange Committees, which help enhance friendly relations between Japan and other countries or regions through expansion of Japan’s economic and trade exchanges with these countries. Each Committee holds seminars in Tokyo and other cities of Japan for executives and persons in charge of member companies on a wide range of topics such as country risks for the purpose of increasing their understanding in international issues and supporting activities of Japanese companies in overseas markets, with a focus on human resources development on a practical level. It also offers various courses for young business professionals. Each year the Committee sends a delegation of Japanese business people to its counterpart’s country or region to exchange views with government officials and representatives of the private sector in the country regarding issues on economic exchanges, as well as to gain the knowledge about current circumstances of the country. The Committees will be added if there is increasing importance of the activities to promote Japan’s bilateral exchanges with a specific country or region.

2. Holding Programs to Promote Economic Exchange Activities

1. FEC Forums on Investment Promotion
   FEC holds a special forum in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and other cities of Japan to promote investment in a specific country, inviting senior government officials of the country as a guest speaker, with participation of representatives from Japanese companies.
2. FEC Informal Gatherings for Discussion
   FEC provides a unique opportunity for networking through informal gatherings among executive members of FEC for discussion over lunch or dinner with senior government officials from countries of the world.
3. FEC Joint International Forums and Exhibitions
   International forums and exhibitions are held in the countries around the world as one of the activities of joint undertaking by FEC and its counterpart organizations of each country.

3. Enhancing People’s Understanding of Diplomatic and Foreign Affairs

1. FEC International Meetings
   FEC holds a monthly meeting for representatives of Japanese leading companies to exchange their opinions with intellectuals and dignitaries invited from both inside and outside Japan. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are also invited to this program, which offers more opportunities to bring Japan’s diplomacy closer to the people.
2. FEC International Seminars
   To enhance people’s understanding toward international affairs and diplomatic policies, FEC regularly holds seminars in Nagoya, Kansai Region and other cities of Japan inviting experts in the international arena including foreign ambassadors to Japan as guest speakers. The audience consists of representatives of every sector of regional and local society and corporate members of FEC. As many as 290 seminars have been held so far.
3. LFEC International Forums
   To increase women’s awareness in international issues, a group of FEC women leaders, called LFEC, plays a central part in promoting overseas cooperation and exchanges through forums and other programs.

4. Acting as a Bridge between Local Cities of Japan and Countries in the World

1. Since its establishment, FEC has worked actively to support an increase in international exchanges and expand the wave of exchange all over Japan through various events including international symposia, seminars and receptions held in local cities of Japan, inviting foreign government officials and private sector delegations on their visit to Japan. FEC also acts as a bridge between Japanese and foreign companies.

1. Remarkable Features
   Events hosted by FEC are effective for drawing spectators as well as representatives of every sector of society. FEC is capable of capturing the interest of some hundreds of people to its programs including conferences and welcome receptions for visiting guests. The numbers of the participants added up to thousands when it organized events inviting former chiefs of state as guests.
2. Unique Programs
   In cooperation with the branch offices, FEC organizes programs for visitors from abroad to go on inspection tours at local industries and companies starting with corporate members of FEC and to attend cultural and other events in the region. FEC makes efforts to meet and exceed the expectations of visiting guests, and has gained their trust. It is also in constant contact with foreign embassies in Tokyo, central and local governments and other organizations concerned. So far it has received a great number of foreign dignitaries as well as official and private delegations to Japan and has achieved great success.

5. Other Service Activities for Corporate Members

1. FEC invites foreign guests including ambassadors to Japan who are Honorary Members of FEC to international exchange programs to provide opportunities for its members to deepen their understanding about other countries or regions as well as to further promote economic and cultural exchanges with those countries and regions.
2. Through international exchange activities, FEC has assembled a worldwide network of personal contacts in governmental agencies and organizations concerned. Using its connections FEC provides a range of services and useful information to its member companies. It organizes business delegations abroad on an inspection tour every year and offers counseling services to help its corporate members deal with any problems that arise in their overseas business activities.