International Outreach through the Kansai Consular Forum

What is the “Kansai Consular Forum”?

METI Kansai established the “Kansai Consular Forum” in November 2008 in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Osaka Liaison Office; the Kinki Regional Agricultural Administration Office, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Kansai Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; the Kansai District Transport Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; and the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren).

The Kansai Consular Forum has been organizing “meetings” and “Kansai tours and workshops,” primarily targeting consulates general and overseas economic organizations.

The Kansai Consular Forum aims to promote the “Kansai brand,” including its industries, tourism, food, agriculture, and urban infrastructure, around the world through consulates general and overseas economic organizations, taking advantage of the fact that many consulates general are located in the Kansai area. It also aims to attract visitors from overseas to the region, promote economic exchanges, and create business opportunities with overseas companies.

Outline of Activities

“Meetings”

In our meetings, consulates general and overseas economic organizations based in the Kansai area, and national organizations get together to exchange information and opinions, as well as to understand the needs of overseas businesses and organizations.

18th Meeting of the Kansai Consular Forum (February 26, 2026)

Main theme : Outcomes of Initiatives Undertaken in Connection with Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and Their Future Utilization

■Opening

■Presentation

"The Future of the Kansai Economy" Material
　－Mr. TAKEDA Ieaki, Director-General, Kansai Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, METI

"Promoting the Appeal of Japanese Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas" Material
　－Mr. SHICHI Yuichi, Director-General, Kansai Regional Agricultural Administration Office, MAFF

"Infrastructure Development Triggered by Expo 2025 Osaka‐Kansai" Material
　－Mr. SAITO Hiroyuki, Director-General, Kansai Regional Development Bureau, MLIT

"Tourism and Transport Policy in the Kansai Region shaped by Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai,Japan" Material
　－Mr. HATTORI Maki, Director-General, Kansai District Transport and Tourism Bureau, MLIT

"Future Actions and Initiatives Following the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo" Material
　－Mr. INOUE Takeshi, Director& General Manager, International Affairs Department, Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren)

■Sharing Session from Heads of Consulates General and Consulates Material

■Interactive Session

■General Summary　　- Mr. MISAWA Yasushi, Representative of the Government of Japan/Ambassador in charge of Kansai, Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MOFA)

■Closing

The 18th Meeting attendees

Please refer to the meetings held in the past from here

“Kansai tours and workshops”

The Kansai Consular Forum organizes tours and workshops to introduce world-class research institutes, corporations, cultural facilities, and urban infrastructure in the Kansai area to consulates general and overseas economic organizations based in the region.

32nd Kansai Tour (Tuesday, October 8, 2024)

Theme : Energy, Food and Nature of the Reinan Region (Fukui Prefecture)
Destination :

• Tsuruga City Hall, Hydrogen Station Tsuruga (Tsuruga-city, Fukui Prefecture)
• Mikata Five Lakes (Mihama Lake Center) (Mihama-town & Wakasa-town, Mikata District, Fukui Prefecture)

The 32nd Kansai Tour

31st Workshop (Wednesday, July 24, 2024)

Theme : Regional brands in Kansai
Venue :

• METI-Kansai (Osaka-city, Osaka Prefecture)

The 31st Workshop

30th Kansai Tour (Friday, November 29, 2019)

Theme : State-of-the-art Cancer treatment
Destinations:

• Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center [English] (Osaka-city,Osaka Prefecture)

The 30th Kansai Tour

29th Kansai Tour (Friday, October 18, 2019)

Theam : Food and agricultural products produced in Kansai are exported to the world
Destinations:

• Sawai Ranch Co., Ltd. (The Second ranch)  (Ryuo-town, Shiga Prefecture)
• Kyoto Wazukaso [English] (Wazuka-town, Kyoto Prefecture)
• Naniwa Flower Auction Co., Ltd.  (Osaka-city,Osaka Prefecture)

The 29th Kansai Tour

28th Kansai Tour (Wednesday, December 12, 2018)

Theme : Excellent technology based in Higashi-Osaka, a venue of the 2019 Rugby World Cup
Destinations:

• Hanazono Rugby Stadium (Higashiosaka-city, Osaka Prefecture)
• Osaka Kosakusho Co., Ltd. (Higashiosaka-city, Osaka Prefecture)

The 28th Kansai Tour

Please refer to the tours held in the past from here

Contact Information

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Kansai Bureau
International Affairs Division
Address: 1-5-44 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 540-8535
Phone：+81-6-6966-6031
E-Mail：bzl-kin-kokusaiinfo@meti.go.jp