Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed visiting Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Sekō, who is touring Israel with Tokyo’s largest business delegation to date. Some 150 representatives from 90 Japanese companies are taking part in the official visit, including executives from Mitsubishi, Hitachi and Toshiba. Ahead of a meeting at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem, Netanyahu hailed the growing economic ties between Israel and Japan. In Netanyahu’s words, “There has been a tremendous increase in Japanese investments in Israel. Minister Sekō Just informed me that in the last few years the growth of Japanese investments in Israel has been 120 times. Last time I spoke it was 44 times, it grows at an astronomic rate. Actually, 5 billion dollars today but growing very rapidly. Are relations are a very natural one, Prime Minister Abe and I agreed that we have to upgrade our economic relationship… and this visit is part of that. And I welcome and your colleges. We want to see more trade, more tools, more investments – in both directions. Welcome to Israel!” Israel’s Economy Ministry pointed to an imminent signing of an agreement in the field of digital health that will help spearhead new research and business prospects. Aside from the intergovernmental agreements that are expected to arise from the visit, many deals are expected to be inked separately in the private sector as well.
