ASEAN managers learn in Kansai about environmental efforts (Oct., 2010)
PREX was commissioned by Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) to hold the 2010 Kankeiren ASEAN Management Seminar for 14 business managers and executives at economic organizations in eight member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India, for five days from October 25 to 29. On the theme of addressing Asia’s sustainable development and environmental issues, the seminar this year introduced progressive approaches by industry, government and academia through trips to companies and universities, held dialogues with corporate executives and made reference to future activities.
Enthusiastic seminar participants ask questions to Masatoshi Tanaka, president of Rematic Corp. A great deal of interest about environmental industries emerged during the seminar.
“Kansai, an environmentally advanced region” to turn Asia into “an environmentally advanced region in the world”
Since 1980 and for over 30 years, Kankeiren has been involved in the ASEAN Management Seminar, which serves as an opportunity for corporate executives of ASEAN countries to learn management techniques from Japanese companies that conduct outstanding management. At the 30th anniversary symposium held last year in Jakarta, Kankeiren Chairman Hiroshi Shimozuma announced the “Jakarta Declaration: Turning Asia into an Environmentally Advanced Region in the World.” This effort would be centered around Kansai, whose fortes lie in the fields of the environment and energy conservation, and it would involve approaches to human-resource development activities that support the creation of low-carbon societies, which are indispensible to Asia’s sustainable development.
PREX has been carrying out this seminar since it was commissioned by Kankeiren in 1990. In fiscal 2010, as the first seminar to follow the Jakarta Declaration, it was implemented with the central theme of environmental efforts and human-resource development
Passion-filled participants learn from Kansai companies
First off, as an introduction, various case studies from Professor Sumimaru Odano from Shiga University on socio-economic environmental changes and corporate management that involve Asia were exchanged, while the content of the lectures was extremely easy to understand. Trips were made to Rematec Corp., which focuses the recycling of waste products; Panasonic Corp., which aims to become an environmentally innovative company, JOHNAN Corp., which is actively involved in a wide range of activities such as production of electronic components and environment-related products as well as business-continuity planning; and Fairy Plant Technology, Inc., which has established differentiation strategies at plant factories. At all of these companies, managers spoke about their efforts for the environment and corporate strategies based on their companies’ corporate social responsibility. The seminar participants made their enthusiasm clear, as their questions seemed to flow endlessly. Some of the impressions that emerged were, “Everywhere, not just with technical skills, there are level-headed ways of thinking and responses to CSR and management policies and business management, which I feel are remarkable,” and, “There is a coordinated functioning of industry, government and academia, which is fantastic.”
Participants in a traditional Japanese inn have a discussion on what they have learned during their seminars.
Discussions through sincere feelings in dialogues with corporate executives
The latest seminar sought not only have the participants learn from Japanese companies, but also to engage in mutual education. On the final day, we had a forum for two-way discussions between seminar participants and the executives from Japanese companies. The participants were divided into two groups, and the executives were invited to each of their tables. Forthright discussions took place on the topics of environmental efforts and human-resource development. The heated talks took place in an open atmosphere and were highly appreciated by the participants.
Yoshio TAKEZAWA,
General Manager,
International Department
Seminar summary
| Name | 2010 Kankeiren ASEAN Management Seminar |
| Period | Oct. 25 (Mon.)-29 (Fri.), 2010 |
| Participants | 14 corporate managers and executives and executives from economic organizations, etc. from eight ASEAN countries and India |
| Commissioned by | The Kansai Economic Federation |
