Brisbane, 8 April 2009: Clayton Utz partner Hiroyuki Kano has been elected President of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Brisbane (JCCIB), reflecting his standing in the Australia-Japan business community.
The appointment, effective from 1 April 2009, will see Mr Kano head the JCCIB Board of Directors which comprises seven other leading Japanese business representatives.
JCCIB is the peak Japanese business body in Brisbane, comprising a number of large Japanese corporations and organisations. Only Japanese expatriates are eligible for a seat on the JCCIB Board and work closely with the Japanese government.
"I am honoured to be the President of JCCIB and chair the Board. One of my career objectives has always been to better assist and promote Japanese businesses here. I am excited to be able to further pursue this objective, not only from the legal perspective, but also from a much broader business perspective," Mr Kano said.
Mr Kano is Australia’s only Japanese qualified Bengoshi lawyer practising as a partner at an Australian law firm. Based in Brisbane, he works alongside Corporate partner Andrew Hay who heads up Clayton Utz' Japan practice, as well as a number of other lawyers who specialise in Japan-Australia investment.
The group’s work involves inbound investment from Japan-based companies in the energy and resources sector, and it also regularly advises on transactions spanning the manufacturing, commercial vehicle and heavy equipment, education, finance, securities, insurance, property, infrastructure, food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and tourism sectors.
Congratulating Mr Kano on his appointment Mr Hay commented: "This is a significant acknowledgement for Hiroyuki and a credit to the hard work he has put into assisting Japanese entities doing business in Australia. His appointment presents a great opportunity for him to further develop his already strong contacts with the Japanese business community, which comprises a large number of organisations with Australian-based operations."
"Hiroyuki is dedicated to assisting Japan-Australia business and investment and has developed a unique legal skill set that allows him to very effectively bridge the gap between doing business in Japan and Australia.
"Hiroyuki and our Japan practice continue to be kept active as Japanese investors pursue opportunities in Australia across a number of sectors. This continued activity in such adverse economic times underlines the strength and depth of the relationship between Japan and Australia."