No, I'm not talking about a morning jog past Tokyo's
beautiful Japanese cherry blossoms. What we are talking about is Flanders
Investment and Trade (FIT) and the Agoria Sports Technology Club, because it
has to be said: they helped my company with the creation of a partnership in
Japan. Really helped me. Sometimes, companies just need to be honest and admit
that government and trade associations can actually help us, and really want to
help us.
Allow me to explain. I was in Japan as an official delegate
of the the royal state visit to mark 150 years of diplomatic relations between
our country and the land of the rising sun. SEAUTON was selected because we had
already undertaken missions to Japan, and because during one of those missions,
I delivered a masterclass on the impact of the Olympic Games on our own sector.
In my imagination, I had made a lot of assumptions about
this royal visit, and apart from the golden spoons scooped with exquisite royal
rice pudding, royal suites, royally decorated limousines, extravagant dinners,
a butler behind every chair that I sat on, even if only for a second, a sake
toast to the king and emperor every half hour, champagne just to rinse your
mouth, an open fire in every room and helicopter transport - well, apart from
those things, everything was exactly how I imagined.
Anyway, back to that good old Japanese sense of seriousness:
I must reiterate, economic missions help companies to progress, and companies
should be investing a lot more time in them. The presence of the king was also
a big boost, especially in a country like Japan.
And another useful thing is making a Japanese friend who,
following these missions, decides to sign a partnership agreement during one of
the next missions.
Tonegawa-san and me get along pretty well, and the proof is in this important
phrase from our extensive contract, under Article 4, first paragraph: “The Parties agree to perform this Agreement
in a spirit based on the principles of openness, trust and common sense. In the
name of strengthening this partnership, the Parties agree to drink at least one
glass of Belgian beer and one glass of Japanese sake after each contract
signing.”
Take my word for it: Tonegawa-san and Jan-san will be
stronger together, and will generate plenty of business!
Kampai!!
Until next month, Jan
