We Are Tomodachi Autumn / Winter 2017

19/38

19Abe received much positive feedback from the top executives, such as for his diligent efforts in creating a business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment, and his leadership in free trade. The participants also provided suggestions regarding future focuses ranging from boosting financial activities to transforming the corporate culture in Japan. While praising Japan’s great strength in R&D, many participants expressed that they expect more innovations in areas such as technology and healthcare. The importance of actively accepting more PE funds into Japan was also pointed out. Abe respectively addressed each executive’s comments. When a participant lamented by saying, “I want to come for the 2020 Olympics but Japanese hotels are always booked,” Abe joked, “Well, in that case, how about starting your own hotel business in Japan?” In his responses, Abe elaborated on Japan’s ongoing efforts and made further commitments: for instance, strengthening corporate governance. Japan plans to further refine its corporate governance code to increase transparency through increasing the number of outside directors in listed companies, and revise its stewardship code to improve dialogue between investors and corporates. Abe reiterated, “Changes have happened but these are just the beginning of the reformation—more changes are to come.”In summary, Abe emphasized his expectations for more investment in Japan. Areas such as infrastructure and agriculture as well as hidden talent and untapped resources in Japan’s various local regions are a just a few of the many promising opportunities in Japan. Foreign investment is the real engine of the Japanese economy and Abe strongly expects to achieve sustainable growth through cooperation with companies around the world. ParticipantTitle OrganizationAndré AndonianManaging Partner, JapanMcKinsey & CompanyLeon BlackChairman, CEO and DirectorApollo Global ManagementWes BushChairman, CEO and PresidentNorthrop Grumman CorporationWilliam FordCEO General AtlanticPeter GrauerChairmanBloombergSteven B. KlinskyCEONew Mountain CapitalDaniel S. LoebCEOThird PointStephen A. SchwarzmanChairman and CEOThe Blackstone GroupAlain CarrierSenior Managing Director, Head of InternationalCanada Pension Plan Investment BoardSession 2987654321124356798