Mizuho to Focus on Common Challenges Faced by Japan, China

Editor's Note:

The annual International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai (IBLAC) will convene on October 12, with six new members joining the council. Shanghai Daily speaks with some of the executives about their expectations, the expertise they will contribute to the council, and the topics they hope to discuss with the mayor.

How does it feel to become a new member? What are your expectations from IBLAC?

It is a great honor to become a new member of IBLAC, and I sincerely thank the Shanghai Municipal Government for granting me this valuable opportunity.

Mizuho Financial Group has been operating in Shanghai for over 30 years, working closely with all levels of the Shanghai government to attract foreign investment, promote cooperation between Chinese and international enterprises, and support Chinese companies in expanding overseas.

By joining IBLAC, I am grateful for the opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with the mayor and leaders from various sectors. Drawing on my more than 30 years of experience and expertise in international finance, as well as the collective wisdom of all colleagues at Mizuho Financial Group, I am committed to actively offering suggestions and insights for Shanghai's high-quality development. We will continue to leverage our strengths in financial services to promote the effective flow of capital, technology, and talent, helping Shanghai build an open, inclusive, innovative, and sustainable economic ecosystem.

IBLAC brings together renowned entrepreneurs and industry leaders from around the world. I look forward to working alongside fellow members, utilizing our respective industry strengths and diverse perspectives, and focusing on key areas such as the digital economy, green and low-carbon transformation, international trade, and financial innovation – all aligned with Shanghai's major economic development priorities – to advance the city's construction and economic prosperity.

What expertise and insights will you bring to IBLAC?

Mizuho Financial Group, as a global financial organization, will keep supporting economic growth through finance, using our wide-ranging experience around the world and in China to help Shanghai improve its financial services, boost its status as an international financial center, encourage technological innovation and the growth of the real economy, and offer useful insights for the city's high-quality development.

Are there any particular areas of Shanghai's development that you are interested in further exploring and discussing with other members and the mayor of Shanghai?

At this meeting, I will focus on common challenges faced by both Japan and China, such as green practices, aging populations, and declining birth rates. I will share Mizuho's practical cases in Japan and engage in in-depth exchanges with fellow members and the mayor, discussing innovative measures in areas such as green finance, the elderly care industry, and population structure optimization.

Through sharing experiences and collaboration, we hope to help Shanghai achieve greater success in sustainable development, social governance, and improving people's livelihoods, contributing to its continued growth as one of the world's most dynamic and competitive international cities.