Tsuyoshi Hasegawa of ITOCHU appointed new president of Japan Chamber of Commerce (JCCII)

NEW DELHI. Tsuyoshi Hasegawa of Itochu India has become the 16^th President of Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India for the year 2020-21. He succeeded Yoji Taguchi of Mitsubishi Corporation India.

The decision to announce the appointment of Tsuyoshi Hasegawa of ITOCHU India was made during the JCCII Annual General meeting on April 20 held through webinar during the lockdown period in India.

Tsuyoshi Hasegawa is the third executive from ITOCHU India who has been inducted as President JCCII as earlier in the year 2008 Masayuki Yamamoto and in the year 2014 Toshihisa Fuse, both Director, ITOCHU India also were appointed at this coveted post.

Hasegawa has been with ITOCHU India since April 2017. ITOCHU is into a comprehensive array of business domains, from upstream areas, such as transactions involving raw materials, to downstream domains, such as retail.

In his message to the 449 members Japanese companies located in Delhi and NCR towns, and elsewhere in India, the new JCCII president said that when he had arrived in India in 2017, he was able to once again feel the great business potential of the vitality of India, which continued to experience remarkable economic growth under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Modi, and at the same time witnessing the increasingly strong Japan-India relationship, starting with the Japanese Embassy and the Japanese government.

“Renewing the recognition that it is the result of the efforts of all parties concerned and the perseverance of development efforts of many Japanese companies expanding into India, I myself contribute as a part of it and contribute to my own business. I remember having renewed my desire to expand,” said Tsuyoshi Hasegawa.

Unlike Japan, India, which has a huge young population and is vigorous in expanding economic activity, has no doubt, in the long run, the future economic growth, but at the moment, it has slowed down since last year, and further In the short term, the impact of the spread of the new coronavirus, which has been overwhelming, on social and economic activities, will bring great challenges to India as a whole and to Japanese companies expanding into India,” said Tsuyoshi Hasegawa.

The topmost priority for the new JCCII president, in the beginning, would be the health and safety of member companies until the confusion caused by the new coronavirus is resolved, and the early resumption and normalization of business activities.

“I think that the influence of this new coronavirus will have a great adverse effect on the management and business performance of the majority of Japanese companies in India. We would like to help each Japanese-affiliated company as much as possible by taking actions such as encouraging Indian government authorities to take necessary measures.”

On the other hand, from a medium- to long-term perspective, in consideration of the increase in the number of Japanese companies expanding into India, and the continuous increase or diversification of the number of member companies of the Japan Chamber of Commerce, the organization and operation of the Chamber of Commerce toward the future would be considered, he added.

Tsuyoshi Hasegawa hinted at the renewed spell of series of activities at the JCCII and also strengthening of the organizational system, the exercise that had begun last year with the appointment of Kenji Sugino as the Secretary-General, JCCII. Since last year, significant changes have taken place at JCCII that has initiated many initiatives including strengthening the membership of Chamber of Commerce, changing the office premises to a better location, and also organizing many seminars and webinars for the benefit of member companies.

PAST PRESIDENTS:

2019 – Yoji TAGUCHI, 15^th President (Mitsubishi Corporation India Pvt. Ltd.)
2018 – Hiromichi YAGI, 14^th President (Mitsui & Co. India Pvt. Ltd.)
2017 – Masahiro NARIKIYO, 13^th President (Sumitomo Corporation India Pvt. Ltd.)
2016 – Ichiro TSUZUKU, 12^th President (Marubeni India Pvt. Ltd.)
2015 – Masazumi KONISHI, 11^th President (Sojitz India Pvt. Ltd.)
2014 – Toshihisa FUSE, 10^th President (Itochu India Pvt. Ltd.)
2013 – Masakazu SAKAKIDA, 9^th President (Mitsubishi Corporation India Pvt. Ltd.)
2012 – Makoto SUZUKI, 8^th President (Mitsui & Co. India Pvt. Ltd.)
2011 – Katsuya OKIHIRO, 7^th President (Sumitomo Corporation India Pvt. Ltd.)
2011 – Hajime YAMAGUCHI, 6^th President (Sumitomo Corporation India Pvt. Ltd.)
2010 – Shinya WATANABE, 5^th President (Marubeni India Pvt. Ltd.)
2009 – Yasuhiro KAWAMURA, 4^th President (Sojitz India Pvt. Ltd.)
2008 – Masayuki YAMAMOTO, 3^rd President (Itochu India Pvt. Ltd.)
2007 – Kazumi YOSHIMURA, 2^nd President (Mitsubishi Corporation India Pvt. Ltd.)
2006 – Toshihiko MIYAZAKI, First President (Sumitomo Corporation India Pvt. Ltd.)

“We will strengthen the system and further enhance the functions and activities. Regarding the strengthening of the organization/operation system, the movement that has already begun from last year will be continued, but the strengthening of the secretariat system that is the basis of the business and industry association activities, the development of various infrastructure for operation, and the management resources for that Securing, etc.,” said Tsuyoshi Hasegawa.

He said regarding the further enhancement of functions and activity contents, there is a movement to enhance the officer system, subcommittees and proposal activities, and various lectures and study sessions. We are reviewing our policy and will move forward with specific actions.

“Last but not least, I will be fully involved in the management of the Chamber of Commerce over the year, further deepening the relationship between Japan and India, mutual trust, and further development and expansion of Japanese companies expanding into India. Therefore, we would like to work together with everyone, and we appreciate your support and cooperation,” Tsuyoshi Hasegawa summed up.