Pacific resource exchange center

公益財団法人 太平洋人材交流センター PREX

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Brief History of PREX

Various “encounters” – The history of PREX is the “history of the development of the world and Japan” –

PREX was established in April 1990 in Osaka through Kansai economists’ high aspirations and passion towards regional development and the collective will and cooperation of Kansai’s industries, academia, and administration.

PREX has conducted more than 800 training courses over 32 years and promoted interaction and mutual understanding between people from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Central and South America, Oceania and other regions through these training projects.

Events leading to PREX’s establishment

In 1984, the Kansai Association of Corporate Executives was dispatched a Pacific cooperation study group.
During which they discussed how assistance should be provided to the Pacific regions and found many requests for mid-level manager training instead of transfer of goods or skill.
At the 6th Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) general meeting in 1988 (held in Osaka, Japan), Chairman Osamu Uno of the Kansai Economic Federation then proposed the establishment of an institute in Osaka to assist developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region in developing human resources.
This was enthusiastically welcomed by developing countries.

In the same year, the Kansai Economic Federation set up a founding committee of the “Organization for the Promotion of Management and Technology Exchange in the Pacific Rim (provisional name)” and its executive committee with membership comprising of representatives from Kansai’s industries, administration, and academia. A working group for the establishment was also set up.

In 1989, the Kansai Economic Federation dispatched study groups to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines to assess the needs of developing countries.

In the same year, a founding office was set up within the Kansai Economic Federation. The office started to give briefings to and source for donations from businesses and municipal governments.

3.5 billion yen in donations was amassed. In 1990, the Kansai Economic Federation held a founding committee meeting, and on April 26, the group obtained approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. PREX was established as a foundation.

In April 2011, PREX converted to a public incorporated foundation in accordance with amendments to the law and is now under the jurisdiction of the Cabinet Office

Milestones

1984

  • The Kansai Association of Corporate Executives dispatched study groups to Pacific nations.
  • Proposed that the “development of human resources should be central to future Japanese international cooperation,” and announcement the concept of a “Management and Technology Exchange Center.”

1988

  • At the 6th Pacific Economic Cooperation Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) general meeting in Osaka, Chairman Uno of the Kansai Economic Federation proposed the establishment of an organization in Osaka to represent Kansai’s industry, government, and academia in cooperation for the development of human resources in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Establishment of a founding committee and an executive committee

1989

  • The Kansai Economic Federation dispatched study groups to ASEAN countries to assess local needs.
  • A founding office was established within the Kansai Economic Federation Head Office.

1990

  • Approval obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, and PREX was officially established. Chairman: Osamu Uno, President: Minoru Yamada, Vice President: Nobusuke Kanda appointed.
  • Support for the Pacific Economic Outlook (PEO) Japan Committee started.
  • PREX magazine “PREX NOW” Japanese edition launched.

1991年

  • PREX magazine “PREX NOW” English edition launched.

1992

  • PREX Alumni Associations established in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

1993

  • PREX Alumni Associations established in the Philippines and Thailand.

1994

  • Osamu Uno retires as Chairman and Minoru Yamada as President. Chairman: Nobusuke Kanda, President: Yoshikuni Inoue, Vice President: Minoru Shibata appointed.
  • PREX Alumni Association established in Vietnam.
  • PREX magazine “PREX NOW” Chinese edition launched.

1995

  • PREX 5th Anniversary Celebrations

1996

  • Official website launched.

2000年

  • PREX Alumni Associations established in Chongqing, China and Central Asia
  • PREX 10th Anniversary Celebrations

2001

  • Nobusuke Kanda retires as Chairman and is appointed as advisor. Chairman: Yoshikuni Inoue, President: Minoru Shibata, Vice President: Yosaku Fuji appointed.
  • PREX Alumni Association established in Mongolia.

2003

  • Moved office from Nakanoshima Center Building in Kita Ward, Osaka City to pia NPO in Chikko, Minato Ward, Osaka City.

2004

  • PREX Alumni Association established in Mexico.

2005

  • PREX 15th Anniversary Celebrations
  • PREX Alumni Association established in Myanmar.

2007

  • PREX Alumni Association established in Laos.

2008

  • PREX Vision 2018 formulated.
  • Received the Kansai Business Seminar Special Award and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Commendation.

2011

  • Converted from a foundation to a public incorporated foundation

2012

  • Moved office from pia NPO in Chikko, Minato Ward, Osaka City to Osaka International House in Tennoji Ward, Osaka City.

2013

  • PREX Alumni Association established in Cambodia.

2015

  • Inoue and Shibata retire as Chairman and President respectively and are appointed as advisers. Chairman: Kiyoshi Otsubo, President: Yukiyoshi Okano, Vice-President: Yosaku Fuji appointed.

2019

  • Website redesigned.
  • PREX international alumni associations renamed as “PREX Global Network”.

2020

  • PREX Vision 2030 formulated.

2021年

  • Fuji retires as vice-president. Vice-president: Masatoshi Kimata appointed.

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