Director General Visits Japan; Meets with Senior Government Officials and Other Stakeholders
March 3, 2023
WIPO Director General Daren Tang concluded a four-day visit on March 2, 2023, to Japan, where he met top government officials, leading figures from industry as well as innovators and students for discussions on how innovation, creation and intellectual property (IP) are critical for business development.
Bilateral Talks
In discussion with Mr. Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tang spoke of WIPO’s appreciation of Japan’s support for WIPO in setting common international rules and standards for innovation and creativity. Mr. Hayashi shared the view that IP is key to building an environment where startups and new businesses can flourish.
Director General of WIPO Daren Tang and State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Yoshimasa Hayashi (Provided by MOFA of Japan)
Mr. Tang also met with Mr. Yasutoshi Nishimura, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and discussed how the government and international organizations can create effective innovation ecosystems, while reaching out to the global community.
In his meeting with Mr. Koichi Hamano, Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office, Mr. Tang and the Commissioner shared views on cooperation between WIPO and JPO related to frontier technologies, as well as Japan’s contribution to the acceleration of innovation in, and diffusion of, green technologies.
Mr. Tang also met with Ms. Keiko Nagaoka, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Mr. Shunichi Tokura, Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, where they affirmed the importance of international cooperation in the protection of the rights of creators for the promotion of creativity, culture, and arts in the world.
WIPO Director General Daren Tang and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura (Provided by METI of Japan)
WIPO Director General Daren Tang and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Keiko Nagaoka (Provided by MEXT of Japan)
WIPO Director General Daren Tang and Commissioner of Japan Patent Office Koichi Hamano
WIPO Director General Daren Tang and Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Shunichi Tokura
Furthermore, Mr. Tang was also received by Mr. Daisaku Kadokawa, Mayor of Kyoto City, a city with a proud heritage and cultural tradition, for discussions on how traditional products can be the foundation of new technologies.
WIPO Director General Daren Tang and Mayor of Kyoto City Daisaku Kadokawa at Nijo-jo Castle
Meeting with Industry Leaders and Innovators
Mr. Tang met with a Japan Intellectual Property Association (JIPA) delegation headed by Mr. Masaki Sakuyama, Chairperson, and discussed IP’s impact in the changing world – the of topic of Mr. Tang’s keynote speech at the JIPA IP Symposium.
Director General, Daren Tang, gave a speech at JIPA Symposium
In Mr. Tang’s meeting with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, Committee on IP Rights, and the Intellectual Property Lawyers Network Japan, headed by Mr. Yoichiro Komatsu, discussions centered on how legal professionals can facilitate the effective utilization of various IP rights.
Mr. Tang also held a meeting with Mr. Masakazu Kubo, President, Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. where they discussed AI and the metaverse, as well as the merging of technology and entertainment industries. In a meeting with Mr. Akio Naito, President, SEIKO Watch Corporation, Mr. Tang observed innovative business models that expand beyond the company’s traditional watch manufacturing.
He also met with Ms. Kyoco Ikoma, CEO of Proassist, Ltd., to discuss how to promote inclusive IP ecosystems and encourage innovative cultural mindsets.
At the visit to Kyoto Research Park, Mr. Tang participated in a round-table discussion with local innovators and entrepreneurs facilitated by Mr. Shojiro Oka, Managing Director, Kyoto Research Park Corp., where participants explored how IP plays a critical role in commercializing intangible assets and achieving diversity and inclusion, with opportunities for women, SMEs, and youth.
WIPO Director General Daren Tang and SHOGAKUKAN MUSIC & DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD., President, Masakazu Kubo
WIPO Director General Daren Tang and Proassist Ltd., CEO, Kyoco Ikoma
WIPO Director General Daren Tang, President of SEIKO Watch Corporation Akio Naito, and Movement Designer of The Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-force Tourbillon Takuma Kawauchiya
From left: Mr. Koji Tauchi, Director, Multilateral Policy Office, International Policy Division, Policy Planning and Coordination Department, Japan Patent Office; Kenichiro Natsume, Assistant Director General, WIPO; Mr. Shojiro Oka, Managing Director, Kyoto Research Park Corp.; Ms. Tomomi Sakamoto, Bishoin Art Restoration Studio; Daren Tang, Director General, WIPO; Mr. Nobuo Hara, Kyoto Institute of Invention and Innovation,; Mr. Kiyoo Hirooka, Kyoto Municipal Institute of Industrial Technology and Culture; Tsuyoshi Isozumi, Senior Director, Patents and Technology Sector, WIPO; Tomoki Sawai, Director, WIPO Japan Office; (participant) Mr.Osami Kono, Kyoto University Innovation
Additionally, Mr. Tang was interviewed by the Nikkei Newspaper about WIPO’s focus on building a more inclusive global IP ecosystem, among other topics.
Meeting with Academia and Students
Mr. Tang visited Osaka University and met with Dr Shojiro Nishio, President, to welcome the university’s joining WIPO GREEN as a partner in 2022 and witness examples of co-creation in partnerships through co-location of partners on campus. Mr. Tang also visited the Research Center for Nuclear Physics on campus and met with a number of students and researchers at the Innovators’ Club who are keen on launching start-ups.
Discussion with Dr. Shojiro Nishio, President of Osaka University
WIPO Director General Daren Tang met students and researchers at the Innovators' Club
