About what a chamber of commerce and industry is, and what it does.
A chamber of commerce and industry is a special corporation established and operated under the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Law. Chambers of commerce and industry are the oldest economic organizations in Japan, and today there are 515 such organizations with a combined membership of approximately 1,260,000.
These are private membership organizations, serving as spokesmen for their members and are dedicated to working for the betterment of the respective economies and societies of the districts they serve.
《Four characteristics of a chamber of commerce and industry》
1) Chambers of commerce and industry are organizations with very broad operational bases and a highly public character.
2) Chambers of commerce and industry are open to every corporation and individual engaged in commerce or industry, regardless of whether they are stock companies, associations or personal proprietorships, medical institutions or a service industry requiring special qualifications such as law or accountant firms .
3) Chambers of commerce and industry are engaged in activities of a highly international character. They maintain contact with chambers of commerce and industry throughout the world and take initiative in economic exchanges on the nongovernmental level.
4) Chambers of commerce and industry are regional general-purpose economic organizations that contribute to the development of the region where they are based, and work toward the improvement of social and welfare services.
About The Sagamihara chamber of commerce and industry
Since its establishment in April 1973, to economically develop Sagamihara City’s industries , create a prosperous living and revitalize shopping areas , the Sagamihara Chamber of Commerce has promoted all businesses.
Currently, the Sagamihara Chamber of Commerce and Industry is comprised of corporations and individuals engaged in commerce or industry from diverse industries and of different scales with approximately 4,600. memberｓ.
The chamber is engaged in services tailored to the needs of its members, such as relaying opinions and requests to the central and local government, conducting research and investigations, furnishing information, and giving advice to its members.
If you’d like to use its services or be involved in its activity becoming the member, you are demanded to be fluent in Japanese enough to spend your daily Japanese life without any problems.
The activity and business of The Sagamihara chamber of commerce and industry
1.Advising small & medium-sized companies
・Helping you start their business.
We give you the know-how of starting business in Japan, such as how to make a business plan, what kind of documents you must propose to the government before starting it, how to keep books, what you should be careful of on the business you’re going to be involved in, advertising, marketing, how to find and hire staff members etc.
On Fridays, a professional consultant whom we contract with waits for you to help you start your business successfully at 10 AM to 4PM.
・Helping you find the best way of your company’s borrowing money.
When you find the best way of your company’s borrowing money in Japan, we can be a help. But at the time, you will need to show your company’s latest financial statements, such as balance sheet, and profit and loss statement. Analyzing them, we help you find which way is the best for your company to borrow the money. Based on your company’s current financial conditions, we determine if you are eligible for a loan.
We can provide you with the information on the financing systems established by Japan Finance Corporation (JFC) -a banking sector funded by the Japanese government, Kanagawa Prefecture and Sagamihara City. If your company continues doing business with us for more than six months and doesn’t have any financial problems, you will be able to use the business loan of Japan Finance Corporation (JFC) on the recommendation of us with no collateral and guarantor, and very low interests.
・Helping you solve your business problems
We have hard-working professional teams, such as consultants specializing in the management of small and medium-sized companies, lawyers, accountants, patent attorneys who will be able to provide you with assistance. This advice is free. We recommend you to take their advice before your problems become serious.
The faster you come to see them, the sooner your problem will be resolved. Please contact our office for times and dates to make a reservation for these service.
・Helping you overcome your tough business situation.
We are always prepared for the companies in tough business situation.
At the time, please show us your company’s latest financial statements, such as balance sheet, and profit and loss statements. Analyzing them, we help you find which is the best way to improve your company’s financial situation.
We respond to any serious business problems, by contracting professionals , such as consultants having know-how to support financially-troubled companies and lawyers. They will provide you with advice at no costs.
If they are convinced your company will be restored, they will tell you what you have to do now and in future. And if they are convinced your company will not be restored anymore, they will tell you how you can close your business following the law, without causing troubles.
2.Providing you with the opportunities to expand your human network leading to the improvement of your business
The Sagamihara Chamber of Commerce and Industry is now comprised of corporations and individuals engaged in commerce or industry from diverse industries and of different scales, with an approximate membership of 4,600.
So we try to make as many opportunities for the members to communicate with each other as possible, for various purposes.
For example, we support young and female entrepreneurs, and have the three groups that provide opportunities for the members to network and discuss their issues.
The groups-The Female Entrepreneur’s Group, The Young Entrepreneur’s Group and The Young Manufacturer’s Management Research Group are active and enthusiastic in exchanging useful information, planning a seminar or an event.
And since a chamber of commerce and industry has a mission of relaying opinions and requests from the members to the central and local administration, Ｔhe Research Group On City Industry suggests ways of improving Sagamihara City, making it more fascinating and sophisticated city.
There are also seven Industrial Divisions where the members discuss their own industry’s problems, and several committees where they talk about the problems common to all the industries.
3.For The Members To Exchange Information And Appeal The Strength (held annually)
It allows the members to advertise their company , and later exchange the latest information in a party style. It’s a really good chance to build up your human network with others.
Off course, you may find your potential business partner! Promote yourself and your business at presentation time.
4.The Sagamihara Best Shop Contest.( held annually .started in 2004)
The Best Shop (including restaurants) is decided by asking customers to vote for their favorite shop or restaurant and having them judged in the committee.
Points are awarded based on how much creative and attractive the shop is. The shops that wins is advertised by us ,through our monthly paper. and other kinds of mass media. and the voters whose favorite shop wins the prize have a big chance to be presented a gift by lottery.
5.The Business Talk Event For Manufacturing Companies
We are active in providing local companies with as many opportunities to find their new business partners as possible.
Through this event, many manufacturing companies ,which want to both receive and place order in Kanagawa Prefecture, gather in a hall to have a business talk and share useful information.
6.Organizing and holding a business seminar with various themes
In order to meet the needs of customers , the themes of our seminar are quite varied, ranging from how to start or improve business, how to operate a computer or use it to make business more efficiently , how to train new employers, how to pass many kinds of qualification tests held by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, how to distinguish a dangerous company , etc.
7.Providing you with certification of products produced in Japan.
Ｔhe Chambers of Commerce and Industry itself is engaged in activities of a highly international character. Issuing certificates on exports is part of such activities.
It helps companies gain credit internationally on their exported goods. The certificate proves the country of origin, the invoice, the signature and other information of exports.