Japan Currents: Suntory’s Globalization: Bringing Together East and West (Los Angeles, CA)

An in-depth discussion about Suntory’s globalization and the future of U.S.-Japan business relations. (Hosted by the Japan-America Society of Southern California)

Venue: InterContinental Los Angeles Century City at Beverly Hills, 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Time: 4:30pm Registration; 5:00pm Keynote Address and Q&A; 6:15pm Networking Reception

Suntory was founded in Osaka in 1899 and built Japan’s first distillery in Yamazaki in 1923 to create a genuine Japanese whisky, completely different from Scotch.  Its Yamazaki and Hibiki whiskies, among other products, have won international awards and the company has diversified its business into beer, soft drinks, coffee, and many other popular consumer brands.

Suntory’s globalization drive gained momentum with the acquisition of Beam. Today, Suntory Group is one of the world’s leading consumer products companies with nearly 40,000 employees and 300 group companies and operations throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania. Chief Executive Officer Tak Niinami will share his perspectives on Suntory’s globalization and how he sees the future of US-Japan business relations.

Admission: $35 JAS, JBA, USJC, LAWAC/Town Hall and LA Chamber Members; $45 Non-Members or Guests

Speakers:

Tak Niinami, Chief Executive Officer of Suntory Holdings, started his career at Mitsubishi Corporation before becoming CEO of Lawson and then Suntory.  Since taking the helm of Suntory in 2014, he has led the company’s global strategic growth, shepherding the successful integration of Beam Suntory. Outside of Suntory, Tak serves on the Tax Commission of Japan, and the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy as senior economic advisor to the Prime Minister. He is also Vice Chair of the Board of Councillors of Keidanren – Japan Business Foundation.  Tak is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council, the Advisory Board of the World Economic Forum Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Global Board of Advisors of the Council on Foreign Relations, and The Business Council in the US. He earned his MBA at Harvard Business School.

Opening Remarks: Consul General Akira Muto and Kiichi Nakajima, Vice President & Regional Manager, Southwestern Region, U.S.A. and President, Japan Business Association of Southern California

Q&A and Discussion Moderator: Brian Peck, Director, Center for Transnational Law and Business, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law, USC Gould School of Law, Board of Governor, JASSC

Japan Currents is made possible by a generous grant from the Embassy of Japan in the U.S.A. and supported by the National Association of Japan-America Societies, Inc. Additional generous support is provided by the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, the Aratani Foundation and the Japan Business Association of Southern California.

Click here for more information about this event.