Japan-Germany Industry Forum: 150 Years of Trade Marked by Focus on Smart Energy

BERLIN and TOKYO, November 17, 2010 - Japanese and German business leaders are coming together to
address the challenges of smart energy management and the future of mobility
in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Japanese-German trade ties next
year. Germany Trade & Invest will showcase new opportunities for cooperation
in the areas of smart energy and mobility at this year's Japan-Germany
Industry Forum on November 18 in Tokyo, Japan.

This year marks the 6th Japan-Germany Industry Forum, an
annual event that brings together decision makers from the public and private
sectors to advance cooperation in cutting-edge fields. Under the moniker
"Smart Energy and Mobility Solutions - Sustainable Business Opportunities in
Germany", this year's conference focuses on chances for increased
partnerships between Japanese and German companies in these growing fields.

Germany Trade & Invest representatives will highlight
investment opportunities in Europe's largest market, demonstrate how Japanese
companies can benefit from doing business in Germany, and show how Germany
Trade & Invest can facilitate partnerships in the country. The keynote speech
for the event will be held by Herbert Hemming of Robert Bosch GmbH in Japan.
Representatives from leading Japanese companies The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi
UFJ, NEC Corporation, Panasonic, Toshiba and the Tokyo Electric Power Company
will address the significance of the German market and discuss the state of
smart energy. German companies and research institutes such as EnBW Energie
Baden-Württemberg AG, Fraunhofer Institute and SAP AG will also participate.

Currently there are approximately 955 Japanese companies with
105,000 employees in Germany. From 2003-2009, Japan accounted for 186 new
investment projects in Germany, ranking in the top five investor countries.
The trade relationship between the two countries is strong and complementary,
with Germany importing more than EUR 18 billion in goods from Japan - largely
electronics and machinery - and Japan importing nearly EUR 11 billion from
Germany, primarily chemicals, autos and their components, and machinery.
Given the current exchange rate, Germany is an attractive local production
location for Japanese companies, especially in high-tech fields.

Future Focus - Smart Energy and Mobility

Fluctuating energy production has necessitated smart energy
management and storage solutions, including smart grids and new mobility
options. Renewable energy currently makes up over 16 percent of the total
electricity mix in Germany, which is expected to rise to at least 35 percent
by 2020 and 50 percent by 2030. Germany has already developed the most
extensive framework in Europe for these new technologies, ranging from R&D to
pilot projects. These conditions present ample opportunities for Japanese
companies, as foreign investors and domestic companies are treated alike. At
the same time, 99.7 percent of companies in Germany are often export-oriented
small and medium enterprises (SMEs), meaning that the market is not dominated
by a few large companies.

Japanese companies can partner with German companies and
research institutes to further innovation. This will be one key aspect of
this year's Japan-Germany Industry Forum. Germany Trade & Invest
representatives and partners from the federal states in Germany will be
present to assist companies with their plans to expand to Germany and meet
potential new business partners.

Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward
investment promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The
organization advises foreign companies looking to expand their business
activities in the German market. It provides information on foreign trade to
German companies that seek to enter foreign markets.

    Contact:
    Germany Trade & Invest
    Robert Scheid
    Email: robert.scheid@gtai.com
    T: +49(0)30-200099-170
    F: +49(0)30-200099-111

Contact: Germany Trade & Invest, Robert Scheid, Email: robert.scheid at gtai.com, T: +49(0)30-200099-170, F: +49(0)30-200099-111