Few among the nearly 400 guests gathered at the Waldorf Astoria Osaka for this year’s Kansai International Meishi Exchange (KIME) seemed inclined to disagree with Mayor of Osaka Hideyuki Yokoyama’s assessment, a reflection of the growing confidence surrounding the Kansai region.

Held against the backdrop of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, this year’s KIME brought together leaders fr om the business, diplomatic and public sectors. Organized by 23 international chambers of commerce and business organizations, the event highlighted the connections and collaboration helping to drive the region forward.

Representing the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan were Kansai Representative Philip O’Neill and Governor Seiji Omote. For the CCCJ, the event provided an important opportunity to strengthen relationships across the region and engage with businesses, organizations and community leaders helping to shape Kansai’s future.

If KIME 2026 demonstrated anything, it is that Kansai’s story is still being written and an increasing number of people want to be part of the next chapter.