Hannover Messe 2008 will soon come to a successful end. Over the past few days, having seen many visitors not just from Germany but also from all over the world, I have once again realized that Hannover Messe is, indeed, one of the world's most important industrial and technological shows.

This year, Japan has participated in the Messe as the Partner Country. About 150 Japanese companies and organizations have exhibited their cutting-edge technologies and presented new products in areas such as the environment, energy and robotics. Having further innovations in mind, the exhibitors were focused on building links with leading companies, R&D centers/organizations from all around the world, with a view to forming partnerships in their businesses and research activities.

Many Japan-related events took place during the Messe, such as the 'Japanese-German Business Summit' which focused on increasing trade and investment between Japan and Germany. There were also a variety of seminars and symposia on urgent environmental issues, energy conservation, development of new energy resources and fuel cells. I believe that these events made many government representatives, exhibitors and visitors aware of the need for further technological innovations.

Japan and Germany must take the initiative in tackling global issues such as the environment and energy through innovation created by both countries' technologies. I am convinced that we have the capability to do so.

Both countries are global leaders in innovative technologies as regards the environment and energy. We have to make joint efforts to protect our environment. That is another reason why I am very pleased that Japan was chosen to be the Partner Country of Hannover Messe this year.

It goes without saying that our participation was a success. The satisfaction of the exhibitors based on numbers of visitors to their booths, meetings held or partnerships agreed are the main factors of judging this success

JETRO asked its exhibitors to fill in a small questionnaire every day. According to the answers received from 92 exhibitors, the number of business meetings held discussing potential sales or joint R&D agreement was 5,559 in the first three days. This has led to 43 deals sealed valued at 160,000 US dollars. We are expecting a further 110 deals worth 2.2 million US dollars to be agreed. There were also 249 offers from distributors visiting their booths. Most of the Japanese exhibitors have been extremely satisfied with these outcomes.

Company A, which exhibited in Hall 5 'Subcontracting' has came to an agreement with an Italian company on a deal worth 100 million yen (6 million euros). They have the technology to remove static electricity from automobiles, which raises efficiency in fuel consumption.

Company Z, who exhibited in Hall 27 'Energy' at the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) stand, have successfully met potential partners for their business expansion in major markets. The common perception of small wind turbines is that they do not generate enough electricity, they are noisy and they are fragile. However, they have been promoting a small wind turbine that they developed, which creates less noise and durability as well as generating enough electricity.

Aqua Power System, Japan, who also exhibited in Hall 27, is the only company in the world to commercialize water batteries using the principle of Volta Battery ('Volta Battery' is a primary battery with EMF 1.1V invented by Italian physicist, Volta. They are also known as Galvani Battery). With the prevalence of low-current products, they are promoting water batteries with a view to protecting the environment. They have registered their patents in Germany, Japan and the US. Having held more than 330 business meetings in the first three days, very much exceeding their expectations in the Messe, they wish to promote a new product during a conference on the environment and energy to be held in Switzerland in August.

A measurement and control device manufacturer, Company O, which exhibited in Hall 7 'Interkama+', has participated in Hannover Messe for two years running. They hope to be a regular exhibitor for the next five years at least, as they have found opportunities to meet potential partners from all over the world including India, South America and China as well as meeting co-exhibitors with whom they can discuss about complementing their product portfolios.

TDC Corporation who exhibited in Hall 6 'Microtechnology', are a SME specialising in mirror-polishing to nanometric scale have chosen Hannover Messe as their first overseas exhibition. They polish products in their own factory, to which clients can send the products that needs to be polished. Upon introducing their service, they received tremendous amount of interest from wide ranging visitors from Germany, EU, North America, Asia and Latin America. They believe in the opportunity that Hannover Messe provides and they hope to come back next year.

Company T, in Hall 11 'Industrial Automation', has exhibited in the Messe for seven years running. They use the opportunity to gather their distributors from Germany, Italy, Russia and Spain to support their promotional activities. The distributors are at the forefront of the meetings with T backing up. In the first three days, they had held about 200 meetings and received 10 offers from potential distributors.

The success of Japanese exhibitors was such that it makes us difficult to mention all of the achievements here. Having been responsible for coordinating the Japanese exhibitors, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), together with other exhibitors, is convinced that being the partner country created a solid basis for increased communications between the countries. We have generated greater opportunities for interactions between influential figures of the two countries and R&D cooperation between leading companies and governments of Europe and Japan.

We have designated Hall 2 as our core 'Partner Country' pavilion as the Partner Country. In our promotional exhibition space, we have exhibited 'HRP-2' which gained attention from many visitors including the Chancellor Angela Merkel. The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), who have also exhibited at Hall 2, had signed an MOU with the Helmholtz Association on research cooperation and we believe that this will bear great fruit through future collaborations.

Tokushima Prefecture, who holds a sister-state relationship with Lower-Saxony had brought 'Gazebo-Light Dome', which attracted great visitor attractions. With the music, the patterns of the light emitted change to create new patterns. We are also grateful to 'Otsuka-Ren', the 'Awa-odori' dancing team from Tokushima. The 60 dancers displayed their extraordinary skills in the Opening Ceremony and the Night of Innovation. Their contribution towards Japanese-German cultural exchange is huge.

Sharp Corporation, who exhibited at Hall 27, was the biggest exhibitor from Japan. They have introduced their cutting-edge photovoltaic technology. Toyota Motors exhibited fuel cell vehicle and plug-in hybrid vehicle. They have both gained enormous attention from visitors as well.

Geographically, the distance between Japan and Europe is vast - even by plane, it takes nearly twelve hours. However, as a result of Hannover Messe, I expect that the companies and organizations exhibited will intensify their cooperation with Europe in the future.

By vitalizing trade and investments between Japan and Germany/Europe, the roles that Japanese-German/European collaborations play in the resolution of urgent global problems, like energy and environment issues, will be even greater. JETRO will continue to actively support the industrial and technological collaboration between these countries.

Last but not least, I would like to sincerely thank those who gave tremendous support to our participation as the Partner Country: The Federal Government, The Lower Saxony State Government, Deutsche Messe AG, Federation of German Industries (BDI) and the City of Hannover.

- Deutsche Messe Hannover -