Today, GoChengdu will take you on a journey of Japanese enterprises that have been looking for "surprises" in Chengdu.

 

The wonderful journey starts with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), an organization responsible for providing China's information on foreign trade and economic markets for Japan.

 

 

 

- Episode 2 -

GoChengdu's Guest

Masahiro Morinaga, chief director 

of JETRO's Chengdu office

 

 

What surprises did the Solitary Gourmet find in Chengdu?

 

The common focus of JETRO's global offices is to promote foreign direct investment (FDI) into Japan and to help small and medium-sized Japanese firms maximize their global export potential. JETRO has eight offices in China and the Chengdu office was established in 2014. Before the establishment of the Chengdu office, there were several other cities for JETRO to choose from; however, JETRO's chairman, after his visits to local governments and enterprises, finally chose Chengdu as its headquarters in southwest China.

 

Obviously, JETRO had had great expectations of Chengdu before the office was established.

 

Chengdu, a park city that lies at the foot of snow-capped mountains.

(Photo by Jianan)

 

Before taking the post of the chief director of JETRO's Chengdu office, Masahiro Morinaga had heard from his friends and the news that Chengdu was a world-famous "Culinary Heaven".

 

Chengdu is not only a city with abundant local delicacies but also a place that attracts chefs at home and abroad to open restaurants. If you are in Chengdu, you will get a chance to enjoy a variety of delicacies from different countries (regions).

 

Because of this, Masahiro Morinaga feels that his life in Chengdu is like what happens in Solitary Gourmet, a Japanese drama. However, he does not feel lonely because he can find all kinds of delicacies here. In his spare time, he will travel around the city to try restaurants that are hidden in small streets and lanes. On the way of exploring the city, he gains a lot.

 

 

For example, the popularity of Japanese food is quite out of his imagination.

 

On the recommendation of a friend, he went to a famous conveyor belt sushi bar in Chengdu. But it was too popular to have a seat in the bar.

 

Moreover, every time he went there, the bar was always packed with people, without any seat for him.

 

Thus, he did not have even a plate of sushi in this "word-of-mouth sushi bar". Though it's a little pity, Masahiro Morinaga still feels so happy because of the popularity of Japanese food. He believes that this sushi bar run by locals must have an amazing taste.

 

In fact, the surprise that Chengdu gives him is more than that.

 

When working and living in Chengdu, Masahiro Morinaga is curious about both local delicacies and profound cultural deposits. As an important hub on the ancient Silk Road, Chengdu has always been inclusive and friendly to foreign cultures and trading markets.

 

On behalf of JETRO, Masahiro Morinaga is exploring this charming city for delicacies, culture and economy and trade to find more opportunities and discover amazing things in this place.

 

Chief director of JETRO's Chengdu office, Masahiro Morinaga

 

 

What else did he discover?

 

 

The spirit of inclusiveness and adaptability indicates Chengdu's unlimited potential in the dual circulation development pattern of inner and external economy and trade.

 

At the 2021 SME Economic and Trade Innovation Summit Meeting among China, Japan and ROK concluded last month, Masahiro Morinaga shared the development experiences of Japanese firms in Chengdu and their cooperation with local counterparts, based on the information collected by JETRO, that was, the advantages of Chengdu make him confident about future cooperation between the two sides.

 

Chengdu has always been inclusive and friendly to foreign cultures and trading markets.

(Photo by Jiang Renke)

 

"A harmonious market" is how Masahiro Morinaga describes Chengdu. Then he makes further explanation.

 

He is surprised at the open and inclusive attitude of the consumption market towards Japanese firms, which should leverage such an environment to seize Chengdu's opportunities.

 

Masahiro Morinaga admits that Chengdu doesn't have an inherent advantage in foreign trade transportation like other coastal cities. But the booming local manufacturing and industry in Chengdu still attract a large number of foreign enterprises to settle in this city.

 

In other words, a large number of developed local manufacturers have paved the way for the introduction of foreign brands. The settlement and strategic cooperation with these enterprises facilitate local component manufacturers to fill the gap in the industry chain, with related product matching rates increasing accordingly.

 

When component manufacturers and finished product assembly plants are in the same city, the geographical location of Chengdu will become its advantage.

 

 

What surprises can be found in Chengdu?

 

 

Masahiro Morinaga's journey in Chengdu starts from local delicacies to the economy.

 

It's true that the cultural deposits of Chengdu are one of the reasons why tourists are reluctant to leave. It is worth taking a long time to enjoy the delicacies and charming scenery in this city. However, the main cause for them to live in this city is its opportunities in economy and trade.

 

The main cause for citizen to live in this city is its opportunities in economy and trade.

(Photo by Jiang Renke)

 

What is JETRO?

JETRO, or the Japan External Trade Organization, is a government-related organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. JETRO's core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting foreign direct investment into Japan and helping small to medium size Japanese firms maximize their global export potential.