Background of the Meeting with the Hokkaido Delegation
On January 30, 2026, GTS Advisory Inc. (Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea; Representative Director & CEO: Masahiro Kimura) held a meeting in Seoul with a visiting delegation from Hokkaido, Japan, which included Vice Governor Takayuki Kano and Hokkaido Assembly Chairperson Joichi Ito.
This meeting was founded on the strong relationship of trust established after Mr. Kimura's special lecture at Hokkaido University in October 2025. Moving beyond a mere courtesy call, the gathering served as a platform for business leaders from both nations to engage in practical discussions regarding future economic cooperation between Japan and Korea.
Beyond Tourism: Partners in Future Industries and Energy
While Hokkaido welcomes around one million South Korean tourists annually, the Hokkaido Government's expectations of Korean companies extend far beyond the tourism sector.
Hokkaido is undergoing a dramatic transformation, emerging as the hub for Japan's next-generation semiconductor project (Rapidus) and a center for renewable energy. The discussions delved into adopting innovative technologies from Korean startups, collaborating in the energy sector (such as winter fuel supply chains), and leveraging Hokkaido’s advantages as an ideal testing ground for Proof of Concept (PoC) through industry-academia partnerships.
The Potential of Niseko and Yoichi as "Asia's Davos"
The conversation also highlighted the immense investment potential of the Niseko and Yoichi areas, which are increasingly drawing attention from global corporations and the world's super-rich.
With Yoichi gaining recognition as an emerging optimal location for global wine production (e.g., OcciGabi Winery) due to climate change, and the area improving its readiness to accommodate private jets, this region harbors high potential to become "Asia's Davos"—a premier gathering place for global economic leaders. GTS Advisory serves as a vital bridge for such world-class investment and development projects between Japan and Korea.
Strategic Shift: From Highly Competitive Tokyo to Regional Hubs of Opportunity
A market entry strategy focusing solely on Tokyo—a highly competitive red ocean saturated with global companies—is no longer the optimal approach. Japan’s regional hubs, backed by the strong commitment of local governors and offering easy collaboration with prominent local enterprises (such as Hokkaido Electric Power), represent the true "lands of opportunity" for Korean businesses.
As a "Maestro" who harmonizes diverse business elements, GTS Advisory boasts a powerful network that directly connects to top-level officials in Japan's central and local governments. We remain committed to "Connecting the Dots," providing hands-on support to expand the business frontiers of our client companies.