Forging a New Era as"One Kansai"

The Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) was established in October 1946 as a comprehensive economic organization made up of individual economic organizations, businesses, and other entities. Its original mission was to represent the Kansai business community's views on economic revitalization, thereby helping to rebuild Japan's economy, which had been ravaged by the Second World War.

Since then, the Kankeiren has contributed greatly to the economic development not only of the Kansai region but all of Japan by engaging in a wide range of activities: for instance, promoting such major Kansai-based projects as establishing Kansai International Airport and Kansai Science City; promoting international exchange and interaction primarily with the Asia-Pacific region; and formulating policy proposals to strengthen industrial infrastructures and encourage the self-reliance and development of local communities.

We celebrated our 70th anniversary in 2016, with the number of our members growing to approximately 1,300.

The environment surrounding Japan is undergoing significant changes. This includes shifts in the financial policies of various countries, significant fluctuations in exchange rates, and the rising costs of energy, food, and other commodities caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There is now also a keen awareness of the need to address economic security issues in response to geopolitical risks in various regions. At the same time, however, positive signs are also beginning to emerge, such as society moving into an era of coexistence with COVID-19 and economic activities beginning to normalize.

Amid such conditions, for the Kansai economy to get back on a robust growth trajectory, resolute initiatives need to be implemented while anticipating the development strategy over the medium to long term.

The Kankeiren created a long-term vision in December 2020, our first in twelve years, titled Kansai Vision 2030. The vision, whose basic concept is "Kansai: a pioneer region, with the spirit of the first penguin," defines what we want Kansai to be, what Kansai should be in 2030: "An economy that is open and creates original values," "a stage that attracts people," and "front lines of new social models." It also sets out the direction of the Kankeiren's activities for achieving this vision in the form of the "7 Arrows."

During the last fiscal year, we launched Medium-Term Plan Phase 1 (FY2022-2024), a new medium-term plan based on our vision, and the current fiscal year, which is the second year of the plan, is an important year for us. We will continue achieving concrete results while maintaining a keen understanding of changes occurring in the world. We will also continue to take actions for future growth, including initiatives based on the Kansai DX Strategy 2025, efforts to realize economic growth through GX, and the creation of innovation during Umekita Phase 2, while also supporting corporate initiatives to realize the Kansai D&I Vision. We will also actively communicate our unique Kansai views on problematic issues that the Kankeiren is aware of, such as quarterly disclosure systems and other corporate systems, as well as the state of the national and local governments. In addition, we will work to further strengthen our interactive connection with the world, with a focus on the efforts on the Asia Business Creation Platform (ABC Platform).

Going forward, Kansai will be in the spotlight nationally and globally thanks to the early opening of the Umekita Phase 2 Development Area in 2024; the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai; the World Masters Games 2027 Kansai; the opening of the Integrated Resort (IR), the zone development plan for which we recently received approval; and a number of other large events that the region will host. The Kankeiren, too, is committed to demonstrating the "spirit of the first penguin," and while prepared for speedbumps along the way, we are convinced that a bright new future can be forged by uniting as "One Kansai" to play a pioneering role. Your ongoing understanding and cooperation regarding our activities are very much appreciated.