Central Japan Economic Federation
Central Japan Economic Federation, known as “Chukeiren”, is a comprehensive economic organization covering a wide area including 5 prefectures in Central Japan. Chukeiren conducts surveys and studies on social and economic issues in and outside of Central Japan, compiles opinions of businesses in the area, and submits recommendations and engages in various activities to achieve goals.
Chukeiren works with the national and local governments as well as relevant agencies to execute a wide spectrum of projects, such as the “Opening of Chubu Centrair International Airport”, “Hosting the EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN”, “Establishment of Nanostructure Research Lab”, “Support to Attract and Host the 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the Convention on Biological Diversity”, and “Establishment of Nagoya Innovator’s Garage”.
Establishment |
April 2, 1951 |
|---|---|
Area of Activity |
5 prefectures in Central Japan including Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, and Mie |
Members |
Approx. 760 enterprises, educational corporations, and economic organizations in Central Japan |
Brochure（PDF）
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the world order that has persisted since the end of the Cold War has reached a historical tipping point. In Japan, inflation is spreading due to the soaring prices of natural resources, energy, and raw materials together with the depreciation of the yen, and strengthening our economic security has become an issue.
Under such circumstances, the Japanese government is working to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and develop a new era, including a new form of capitalism. In order to solve the various issues facing Japan and win in global competition, it is important to promote economic and social reforms that are not extensions of previous measures.
The Central Japan Economic Federation, known as “Chukeiren,” will increasingly promote activities toward the three “creation” goals-creation of added value, creation of human capital, and creation of a region full of charm-set forth in the Chubu Economic Federation Mid-Term Action Guidelines, ACTION 2025, established in June 2021 to cover the years up to 2025 and work to continuously improve the regional strength of Central Japan. To do this, Chukeiren will focus on regional revitalization to increase the vitality of local areas and promote connection, development, and enrichment activities.
In particular, Chukeiren will work on the promotion of digitalization and digital transformation, realization of a carbon neutral society by 2050, activation of innovation, and other initiatives in order to contribute to solving social issues and improving quality of life (QOL). While doing so, we keep in mind the connections between social and economic spheres that transcend administrative districts and revitalization of SMEs that support the region.
As a wide-area general economic organization, the role of Chukeiren is to connect local stakeholders and regional resources through the cooperation of industry, academia, government, and local areas to develop and expand their potentials and increase the added value of the region.
Together with other stakeholders, Chukeiren will break through hurdles that might block the growth of the region to contribute to sustainable development of Central Japan, as well as that of Japan and the world.
Your support and cooperation would be very much appreciated.
(Honorary Advisor, Chubu Electric Power Co.,Inc)
In order to address issues of industry and economy within and outside of Central Japan, Chukeiren has established twelve committees and a council to conduct surveys and studies, make recommendations, and engage in various other activities.
Economy
Conduct surveys and studies, submit recommendations and requests, and engage in promotional activities in the area of economic policies, social systems, economic laws and regulations, etc.
Taxation Systems
Conduct surveys and studies, submit recommendations and requests in the area of taxation reform and subsidies which would benefit industrial development and promotion.
Conduct activities to request the expansion of support measures (budget, taxation system,etc.) for investment in disaster prevention and mitigation by companies for building national resilience.
Industry
and
Technology
Conduct surveys and studies, submit recommendations and requests, and engage in promotional activities to support advancement and promotion of leading-edge industries-such as next-generation automobiles and aerospace-and conduct surveys and studies on new industrial fields.
Conduct activities to promote industrial use of colleges, public research institutions, startups, etc.
Energy
and
Environment
Conduct surveys and studies, submit recommendations and requests, and engage in promotional activities in the area of energy and environmental protection.
Innovation
Conduct surveys and studies, submit recommendations and requests, and engage in promotional activities to accelerate innovation and create new industries.
International
Conduct surveys and studies, submit proposals, and engage in promotional activities to enhance the global competitiveness of industry.
Conduct surveys and studies, submit proposals, and engage in promotional activities to promote the active participation of foreign human resources and realize a multicultural society.
Promotion
of
Local Industries
Conduct surveys and studies, submit recommendations and requests, and engage in activities to promote industries which support the region, such as the service industry and indigenous industries including traditional crafts.
Tourism
Conduct surveys and studies, submit recommendations and requests, and engage in activities to promote tourism.
Wide-region
Cooperation
and
Community Building
Submit recommendations and requests and engage in promotional activities in the area of decentralization, expansion of jurisdiction, and cooperation amongst government agencies to redress Tokyo centralization and improve the charm of the region.
Social Infrastructure
Conduct surveys and studies and submit recommendations and requests to develop a comprehensive transportation network.
Corporate Disaster
Prevention and
Mitigation
Conduct surveys and studies, submit recommendations and requests, and engage in promotional activities in the area of disaster prevention and mitigation by the business communities.
Human Development
Conduct surveys and studies, submit recommendations and requests, and engage in activities to promote development of human resources which support the region and local industries.
Logistics Council
Conduct surveys and studies on the ideal approaches for logistics that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dealing with labor shortages.
Early Recovery of the Economy Weakened by the COVID-19 Pandemic
Activities for Early Recovery of the Economy Weakened by the COVID-19 Pandemic
For early recovery of the economy weakened by the spread of COVID-19, Chukeiren gathers opinions from its members and the local areas in the region, compiles the measures that are needed, and makes requests based on the status of infection and state of the medical system, state of economic recovery, and other factors.
In 2021, Chukeiren made requests to the national government and municipalities, including a “Request for the promotion of COVID-19 workplace vaccination” in June, a “Request for balancing infection control measures and socioeconomic activities” in September, and an “Emergency request for reducing the impact of COVID-19 on the aerospace industry” in October.
Request to Mr. Kotaro Tanaka, director of the Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, for support of the aerospace industry in Central Japan (October 2021)
Creation and Development of Industries That Produce
High Added Value and Acceleration of Digital Transformation
Creation of Broad-based Industries Utilizing the Advantages of “Monozukuri”
Central Japan is a center of monozukuri(manufacturing) in Japan, and leading industries, such as the automobile and aerospace industries, have supported the robust economic base of the region. However, as the automobile industry is entering a once-in-a-century period of transformation, the industrial structure is about to undergo drastic chan ges, and it is necessary to prepare for this and make preemptive moves.
In May 2021, Chukeiren estab lished CAMIP (Chubu Advanced Mobility Implementation Platform) jointly with Nagoya University and started activities with the aim of continuing to maintain Central Japan as a global center for the mobility industry in the future. CAMIP takes into consideration not only the movement of people but also that of goods and services, the development of mobility towns suitable for this, and the spread and expansion of air mobility such as drones. In CAMIP, Chukeiren will collaborate with member companies, government, universities, research institutions, startups, and other stakeholders to promote activities aimed at solving problems and creating new value, like creating and evolving busi-ness models, while implementing many projects in society.
“CAMIP” kick-off event
Creation of R&D and Social Implementation Environments that Contribute to Upgrading of Industry
Chukeiren aims to make the results of research at universities and research institutes lead to more effective commercialization and social implementation. For this reason, Chukeiren considers epoch-making industry-academia-government cooperation systems unique to Central Japan, including human resources, financing, and institutional aspects, so that the organic collaborations can be built among the many local universities and research institutions with advanced research capabilities, companies with excellent technological capabilities in the fields of real tech and deep tech, and government.
Activation of Innovation and Creation of Startups
Activation of Innovation and Creation of Startups
Chukeiren promotes open innovation with relevant municipalities and universities with the aim of sustainably developing Central Japan without being left behind by global trends.
Nagoya Innovator’s Garage, which opened in July 2019, is a place for creating new industries through co-creation by industry, academia, and governments. It is also a base that serves as the core of our activities to form an ecosystem that continuously creates new businesses for existing business companies and startups that lead to impacts on society.
It offers a wide variety of programs, including Recurrent Education for Adults to brush up on liberal arts that broaden your values and vision, Beyond the Border 2.0 to cultivate human resources that create practical innovations, and CENT Pitch (Central Japan open innovation pitch), in which startups take the stage with the aim of acquiring funds, peers, and partners. In July 2022, its area was expanded to add a space for community building with enhanced mentoring functions to improve the quality and speed of growth of new businesses an d startups.
In July 2020, the Central Japan Startup Ecosystem Consortium* was certified as a “Global Base City for the Startup Ecosystem” of the Cabinet Office, and Chukeiren is working to promote and enhance activities to create a startup ecosystem in Central Japan through industry-academia-government cooperation.
*Central Japan Startup Ecosystem Consortium: Chukeiren, Nagoya University, Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City, Hamamatsu
City, and 172 other bodies, including companies, organizations, and universities.
Promotion of Digitalization and Digital Transformation Necessary for Improvement of Productivity and Creation of New Values
Chukeiren established the Central Japan Digital Encouragement website in cooperation with industry, academia, and government in order to provide opportunities for digital learning. The digital learning it enables raises the level of digital skills for a wide range of human resources working in SMEs, including middle-aged workers and seniors as well as personnel with liberal arts educations. Chukeiren promotes support such as client-side support for digitalization and digital transformation of SMEs through participation in wide-area industry-academia-government communities and cooperation with related organizations.
Points are explained in separate videos of manufacturing, back office, and sales scenes.
Improvement of Social and Economic Systems and Enhancement of Global Competitiveness
Every year, Chukeiren conducts research, makes recommendations, and disseminates information about economic policies and other matters with important issues for Central Japan as the theme to improve the social and economic systems. In 2021, Chukeiren published recommendations titled “Changes in economic society for the realization of a carbon neutral society.” In addition, Chukeiren publishes statements every year to request that the government realize a taxation system that supports industrial development and promotion in Central Japan. In particular, Chukeiren promotes investment in disaster prevention and mitigation by companies and conducts activities in cooperation with economic associations and others nationwide to realize a taxation system that contributes to the building of national resilience.
The Aichi-Nagoya Network & International Exchange (ANNIE) is held every year with foreign diplomats in Japan invited to promote globalization of the region
With the global situation growing more uncertain due to the COVID-19 pandemic, divisions among the international community, and other issues, Chukeiren is offering lectures covering the latest situation overseas and conducting studies and discussions to understand the changes occurring around the world and enhance global competitiveness. In addition, as a liaison for domestic and foreign international organizations, Chukeiren promotes information exchanges with Central Japan and dispatches economic delegations abroad to enhance exchanges and cooperation with other countries.
The Aichi-Nagoya Network & International Exchange (ANNIE) is held every year with foreign diplomats in Japan invited to promote globalization of the region
Revitalization of the Regional Economy
Revitalization of Local Industries and the Economy through the Activation of Cooperation among Local Areas and Industry, Academia, and Government by Utilizing Regional Advantages
For revitalization of the regional economy, it is important to maximize the effects of enhanced traffic networks. Together with Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Gifu and Mie Prefectures, which are situated along the western section of the Tokai-Kanjo Expressway, Chukeiren will discuss and promote initiatives through cooperation with local areas for the full opening of the entire expressway in 2026. In addition, it is also important to refine abundant local resource s to further improve their charm, as well as to increase earning power. Chukeiren works on activities to produce synergy effects by connecting local resources, such as food, local sake, traditional crafts, and regional culture, with common stories and testing product creation models that target visitors from abroad.
Realization of a Carbon Neutral Society
Efforts for Both Energy Supply and Demand for the Realization of a Carbon Neutral Society
To realize a carbon neutral society, the utilization of hydrogen in conjuction with the spread of renewable energy sources is important. Since Central Japan is an industrial hub that involves a large number of companies, from manufacturing to logistics, Chukeiren believes that it is the best place to implement a large-scale hydrogen supply chain in society ahead of other regions in Japan. Chukeiren participates in the Central Japan Large-Scale Hydrogen Supply Chain Social Implementation Promotion Council, which was established in February 2022, and conducts support activities in cooperation with municipalities and economic organizations.
Recommendations for social implementation of a large-scale hydrogen supply chain in Central Japan were developed to request the cooperation of municipalities, and a promotion council was established as a result.
Cultivation of human capital
Cultivation of Human Capital That Can Exercise Diverse Abilities
Promotion of Activities That Lead to Changes in Work Styles an d Education to Meet Changes in Social Environments
With the rapid changes occurring in society and the economy, including the significant decline in the working-age population and the responses to digital transformation and green energy transformation, it is important to cultivate diverse, talented human resources. Chukeiren shares awareness and initiatives in common with industry and academia and is working to transform the university education system and promote industry-academia cooperation that contributes to regional revitalization. Chukeiren also works on career education for university students through the Career Education Co-creation Program* so that university students can choose their own ways of life.
*Career Education Co-creation Program: This is an initiative in which lecturers are sent from member companies to give lectures on themes based on the needs of the universities, with Chukeiren serving as the organizer.
Development of Comfortable Environments to Work and Live in
Realization of a Multicultural Society by Promoting the Active Participation of Foreign Human Resources through Industry-academia-government Cooperation and Other Activities
To promote the globalization of Central Japan and enhance the global competitiveness of industries, Chukeiren works on activities that contribute to improving the charm of Central Japan from a global perspective. Chukeiren works on activities such as supporting foreign students seeking jobs and supporting Japanese language and career education for school children of foreign nationality through industry-academia-government cooperation to promote the success of diverse, talented foreign human resources in the region.
In November 2021, Chukeiren published a “Report on promotion of the active 8 participation of highly skilled foreign human resources in Cent ral Japan.”
Foreign students engaging in a group discussion with employees at a member company
Creation of a Region
Full of Charm
Promotion of Collaboration from a Wide-area
Perspective and the Creation of a Region with Charm and Vitality
Measures for Regional Common Issues Through Wide-area Industry-academia-government Cooperation
Many social issues, such as tourism, disaster prevention, and the cultivation of digital human resources, are shared in common by local areas. Therefore, industry, academia, and government across a wide area cooperate to work on solutions for social issues and produce synergy effects that lead to sustainable development of Central Japan. Chukeiren evolved the wide-area industry-academia-government cooperation activities, which had been promoted since 2019, and established the Central Japan Wide-area Industry-academia-government Cooperation Council in February 2022. Chukeiren will promote the activities of this council, share a common awareness of local-area issues with industry, academia, and government, and work to promote discussion and measures to reso lve issues.
Promotion of Development of a Region with Charm and Vitality
Chukeiren quantitatively evaluates advantages and disadvantages of Central Japan previously discussed qualitatively and works on specific measures for improvement. In addition to investigating tourism trends in the “with/after COVID-19” era, Chukeiren also supports the Central Japan Tourism Association so that it can exercise its “control tower” functions by working to develop wide-area tourism areas and promote tourism digital transformation in anticipation of the recovery period for demand after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted again the negative effects of Tokyo centralization and other issues, so Chukeiren is working together with the Nagoya Chamber of Commerce & Industry and other organizations to hold momentum-building events aimed at correcting such effects and to make requests to government. In addition, Nadeshiko-no-kai to express the charms of Central Japan, the members of which are women active in industry, academia, and government in Central Japan, promotes the discovery of new charms of Central Japan and dissemination of information from a female pe rspective.
A symposium was held in March 2022 to boost the momentum for redressing Tokyo centralization heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic
Established Nadeshiko-no-kai to express the charms of Central Japan in July 2021
Improvement of Convenience through the Development and Maintena nce of Social Infrastructure and the Building of National Resilience
Improvement of Convenience through the Development and Maintenance of Social Infrastructure
Although monozukuri (manufacturing) drives the Japanese economy and Central Japan contributes greatly to this, infrastructure such as roads and ports are still under development, and further promotion of development is needed. Chukeiren conducted surveys and studies on the necessity and ideal approaches for infrastructure development in Central Japan and published its “Vision for the Transportation Network in Central Japan” in March 2022.
For Chubu Centrair International Airport (Centrair), its function as a gateway that connects Central Japan to the rest of the world should be further enhanced and exercised. Chukeiren is promoting the early construction of a second runway from the perspective of responding to future demand for flights, realizing full 24-hour operation, handling large-scale runway repairs, and securing backup functions in the event of a disaster, as well as other perspectives. In December 2021, a concept for the future of Centrair was compiled in the Chubu Centrair International Airport Future Concept Promotion Adjustment Council organized with local governments and other organizations.
Chubu Centrair International Airport, a gateway to Central Japan (Provided by Central Japan International Airport 9 Co., Ltd.)
For the second runway, the concept is to develop a new runway in two stages, with a current taxiway being repurposed in the first stage and the new runway being developed on newly constructed landfill in the future. Chukeiren also supports efforts to expand the use of Centrair.
Chubu Centrair International Airport, a gateway to Central Japan (Provided by Central Japan International Airport 9 Co., Ltd.)
Improvement of the Efficiency and Productivity of Logistics to Contribute to Economic Growth
For Central Japan, which is a manufacturing hub, further improvement of the efficiency and productivity of logistics is essential to continuously drive the Japanese economy. From amongst the huge number of issues, Chukeiren focuses on conducting surveys and studies on the ideal approaches for logistics that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dealing with labor shortages.
Building National Resilience to Improve Safety and Security
Preparation for large-scale disasters, including a Nankai Trough earthquake, is an urgent issue. Chukeiren holds lectures with themes that are of high interest and highly useful for its members to promote measures to prevent and reduce disasters. In addition, Chukeiren actively works on activities to make requests to the national government in cooperation with related organizations. In July 2021, eight economic associations jointly established and published a “Request for the establishment and maintenance of the ‘Taxation Program for National Resilience Building’: Suggestion of priority items” and conducted activities to make requests.
In the future, Chukeiren will conduct follow-up for the BCP establishment status of each member company and provide support for its fulfillment, promote proactive measures by companies utilizing Nankai Trough earthquake emergency information, and conduct follow-up with respect to the “For minimizing the impact of a Nankai Trough earthquake, etc. on the business communities of Central Japan” recommendations published in May 2019, as necessary. In addition, as initiatives for wide-area industry-academia-government cooperation, Chukeiren will also aim to improve disaster prevention capabilities by enhancing information collection abilities and seek the participation of member companies in the Shared Information Platform for Disaster Management (SIP4D).
Strengthening Cooperation with Members and Economic Organizations
Chukeiren holds local member round-table discussions and lectures with up-to-date themes as necessary to strengthen cooperation with its members. In addition, Chukeiren publishes a newsletter, “CHUKEIREN,” sends out mail magazines, publishes “Collection of Basic Data for Central Japan” and “Monthly Economic Survey Report” on a regular basis, implements and publishes questionnaires regarding the business situation, and implements other measures to enhance member service.
Aichi Prefecture local member round-table discussion
Chukeiren will further strengthen cooperation with other economic organizations and institutions through activities such as the Tokai Region Economic Round-table Discussions organized with the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations and Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the Tokai region; the New Year’s Celebration of Four Economic Organizations organized with the Aichi Employers’ Association, Nagoya Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Chubu Association of Corporate Executives; and the Western Japan Economic Conferences, which are organized by six economic federations in Kyushu, Chugoku, Hokuriku, Central Japan, Kansai, and Shikoku.
Aichi Prefecture local member round-table discussion
Director General
Managing
Director
Secretary-General
General Affairs Division
Planning Division
Economic Research Division
Industrial Promotion Division
Energy and Environment Division
Infrastructure Development Division
International Affairs Division
Innovation Promotion Division
Task Force Division
ACCESS
Take the Higashiyama Subway Line or the Meijo Line to Sakae Station. Go out of Exit #5 and go east 50m.
