On November 26, 2015, Tatsuo Yasunaga, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mitsui Co,. Ltd., one of the biggest international import-export companies in Japan visited Peking University (PKU) for the first time to deliver a speech at 50th Mitsui Forum. Officials from Mitsui Co,. Ltd.’s Chinese entity, along with Masato Kitera, Japan’s Ambassador to China, were also present. Li Yansong, Vice President of PKU, and Wu Changqi, Professor of Guanghua School of Management received the guests.
Founded in 1876 under the Mitsui Group, Mitsui Co,. Ltd. is now one of the most competitive international trading companies both domestically and internationally. It currently has more than 47,000 employees working in over 50 countries and regions, with a powerful business that covers areas including machinery, chemical industry, foods, real estate etc. Mr. Tstsuo Yasunaga became the CEO of the corporation in April, 2015, since when he has been placed great expectations by the public to save Mitsui and national economy.
Mitsui Forum was first held in 2012, and so far has invited more than 50 guests to address speeches in PKU. During the meeting, Mr. Yasunaga first expressed his gratitude to Mr. Li Yansong and Guanghua School of Management for organizing this Mitsui Forum, in order to promote interactions between the company and the university, further between China and Japan. Mr. Li also reckoned that in spite of the problems between the two nations in terms of politics, the communication and collaboration in a wide range of other areas should be definitely welcomed.
Mr. Yasunaga then pointed out that China’s economy was in transition to a more stable growth pattern, and highly appreciated Chinese strengths and spirits in the rapid development, which was, quoting him, “something Japan could learn from”. He had recognized the problem China’s economy is facing today, but in which he saw, and had much faith in the possible opportunities for Mitsui jointly with Chinese enterprises to make contributions to the world. Mitsui Co,. Ltd. had been already investing largely to Chinese infrastructures. With the rising of China’s tertiary-industry, Mitsui Co,. Ltd. is now planning on a gradual switch of focus. Then Mr. Masato Kitera also stressed his gladness of seeing Mitsui Forum to promote the exchange and mutual understanding between China and Japan.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Yasugana said he was fond of the beautiful campus of PKU, expressing his wish to visit PKU again in the future. Both sides exchanged gifts after the meeting, and Mr. Yasunaga proceeded to make a speech at Guanghua School of Management.
Written by: Ami Higuchi
Edited by: Liu Xiya
