The health of Canada’s economy and Canadians’ long-term prosperity is closely tied to how we engage with the world; and for the past 95 years, Canada has benefited culturally and economically from its vibrant diplomatic and trade relationship with Japan.
Japan is Canada’s fourth largest trading partner, with over $35 billion in imports and exports exchanged in 2023. And yet, there is still a huge opportunity — and equal obligation — for Canada to increase its business presence in Japan even more.
In a world that is increasingly looking at “friendshoring” between trusted partners and de-risking supply chains, Canada and Japan should work closely together to ensure adequate supplies of materials are available for enhancing the economic and energy security of both countries. As only one example,
Canada has the potential to supply a substantial volume of Japan’s natural gas imports, essential for offsetting Japan’s coal-fired power and reducing dependency on Russian energy supplies.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce continues to champion an ever-stronger relationship between Canada and Japan, a peer G7 country in the Indo-Pacific region with shared values in terms of its commitment to an open market economy, rule of law, and democracy.
On behalf of our more than 200,000 business members, as well as the hundreds of chambers of commerce and board of trades that make up the Canadian Chamber Network, we call on the governments of Canada and Japan to strategically explore new measures for facilitating bilateral trade and investment while also strengthening existing systems. Such measures should include enhancing trade infrastructure, increasing trade and investment promotion, and deepening economic dialogue around our complementary strengths in agriculture, energy, critical minerals and clean technology.
Through our targeted events and year-round initiatives, the Canadian Chamber actively supports Canadian businesses seeking to expand or build their presence in Japan.
Founded in 2014 as a joint project of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Japan-Canada Chambers Council (JCCC) serves as a shared platform for building relationships, sharing knowledge, and advocating for policies to support bilateral trade and investment.
Founded in 2014 as a joint project of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Japan-Canada Chambers Council (JCCC) serves as a shared platform for building relationships, sharing knowledge, and advocating for policies to support bilateral trade and investment.
Over the past year, we launched a dedicated international team, whose purpose is to develop and execute on a comprehensive strategy that will position the Canadian Chamber as the indispensable organization for Canadian companies of all sizes wanting to engage in international policy or global trade and investment. This initiative already includes two Canadian Chamber visits to Japan in 2023, and we now look forward to being the hosts of the next JCCC meeting in Canada.
Canada and Japan’s continued relationship is critical to the betterment of both our countries’ economies.
Our history is worth celebrating. I look forward to soon commemorating a century of this relationship, and to continue building on our shared goals.
Chambre de commerce du Canada
1700 – 275 rue Slater Street, Ottawa ON K1P 5H9