The CCCJ is privileged to have among its members our “Honorary Board of Advisors,” a group of senior Japanese professionals with long experience in business or public service, most of whom have close connections with Canada. We are grateful for their wisdom, their advice and introductions to their many valuable contacts. In each issue from now we will profile one of our cherished advisors, starting with…

They have long been the elite of the Japanese business world: globe-trotting representatives of Japan’s powerful trading companies (sogo shosha), known as the “shosha men.” All you need say is “he’s a shosha-man” and Japanese will nod their heads respectfully.

Okahashi-san is crème-de-la-crème shosha-man, now 75 and retired after a 38-year career with Mitsui Bussan (Mitsui & Co.). A Kansai native and graduate of Kobe’s  Konan University, he joined Mitsui’s Osaka office at age 22, and started out trading products such as white soy beans from Canada, the U.S. and China. After a couple of years at Mitsui’s Tokyo head office he was dispatched to New York, where he continued in commodities trading, including wheat and corn oil as well as soy.

Since Mitsui has had stakes in numerous major companies, including 7-Eleven, Panasonic and Toyota, Okahashi has been involved in many other businesses. And a large portion of his career was spent shuttling between Japan and the United States.

Q: How did you become involved with Canada?

“What deepened my relationship with Canada,” he said, “was my assignment as a board member of Toyota Canada and president & CEO of Mitsui Canada from 2009 to 2011.”

“The truth is that I initially hoped to be assigned to Europe, but my superior at the time felt I would need more wisdom and knowledge of the world to do well in that region,” he said with a laugh. “As an alternative, he suggested the role with Toyota Canada, which was fifty percent owned by Mitsui Bussan at the time. When I ran the suggestion past my wife, she said she was thrilled. And in no time the family moved to Toronto.

“I spent two wonderful years in Canada. When the time came to return to Japan, through my personal network I was offered a position at Seiko Holdings and worked with them through a major turn-around. With a targeted business plan focusing on the watch business, the company quickly rebounded and turned a large profit which we reinvested in advertising – a move that paid off.”

Q: What is your most vivid memory
of Canada?

“I can’t pick only one – I must say there are three! During my time in Toronto, I was blessed to experience closely the visit of the Emperor and Empress. That was a memorable experience. Another one was during a G7 meeting in Toronto when we got locked down due to a bomb threat. That was memorable! Finally, on a more positive note, I got to attend the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. For me, the highlight was attending Mao Asada’s figure skating events along with my customers.

Q: What could Canada learn from Japan? And what could
Japan learn from Canada?

“In my humble opinion, Canada does not have much to learn,” he said with a laugh. “But if I have to choose one… it would be to show even greater curiosity towards understanding the great philosophical currents shared by many Asian cultures, which could on one hand strengthen future collaboration with countries such as Indonesia, Korea, China, Japan… and also provide a new lens for Canadians to appreciate their own unique cultural similarities or differences.

“In terms of economic development, I believe Canada could learn from Japan’s approach to the pursuit of manufacturing excellence. From a value standpoint, they already share a lot in common – a desire to offer customers the highest standard product. However, if the level of execution could reach that of the Japanese manufacturing accuracy it would be a benefit for Canadian businesses.

“As for the other way round, Japan has much to learn: from Canada’s immigration policy to address our population decline, to its educational system.

“When I moved to Canada, I was impressed by how it treated its new immigrants and young families. Not only are the government infrastructure programs supporting immigrants, but the way the Canadian people showed a welcoming attitude and respect towards other cultures left a strong impression on me.

“My understanding is that this respectful attitude is deeply rooted in the elementary school teachings of acceptance and respect for differences. For that reason, I believe that the Japanese educational system must learn from the Canadian system’s best practices.”

Q: What is your favorite thing about Canada?

“The emphasis on respect for differences in Canadian culture which contributes to making Canada a country I am very fond of.”

Q: What would you like to see the CCCJ do
in future?

I would like for CCCJ and the Honorary Board of Advisors to engage even more closely to explore how we can further contribute to the Chamber’s mission and its members. Together, I believe we can make a difference to deepen the economic and political relations between Japan and Canada. Ultimately, I would like to see greater engagement between the Chamber’s members, the HBA and political stakeholders.