At the 96th GRIPS Forum on July 14, 2014, Mr. Mitsuo Ohashi, Supreme Counselor, Showa Denko K.K., gave a lecture titled “Japan’s Tomorrow and Contribution to International Society”.

• Abstract

The speaker will talk about his experience in carrying out reforms of a company that faced a crisis, expressing his belief and backbone as a business executive.  He will also discuss many difficult problems Japan is facing, including the declining population, high energy cost, and friction with neighboring countries.  Based on his experience in managing a company and holding leadership positions in various outside organizations, the speaker will present his views on how Japan should contribute to the international society in the days ahead.

• Speakers’ Profile:

Mr. Ohashi graduated from the Faculty of Economics, Keio University in 1959, and joined Showa Denko K.K. in 1961. He was elected President and CEO of the company in 1997. After serving as Chairman of the Board, and Senior Advisor, he accepted this year the present post of Supreme Counselor.

Outside Showa Denko, he served as Chairman of the Japan Petrochemical Industry Association and the Japan Chemical Industry Association. At Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), he held such positions as Vice Chairman of the Board of Councillors; Co-Chairman, Committee on Taxation; Chairman,

                                     Committee on Political Affairs; and Chairman, Business People Political Forum.

                                     He also served as Special Member of The Tax Commission, Government

                                     of Japan. He is now Director of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. and Chugai

                                     Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Auditor of Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance

                                     Company. He is also Vice Chairman of the Japan-China Economic Association,

                                     and Chairman of the Interchange Association, Japan (the sole official

                                     organization for contacts with Taiwan, with which Japan has no diplomatic

                                     relations).