DATE |
EVENT |
January 16 (Financial Markets) |
The Strategic Choices Facing Japanese Banks (E)
(Attendance = 58)
Mr. David Atkinson, Managing Director
Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd.
Nearly 60 senior executives from IBA member firms attended this luncheon featuring a well-known and respected analyst from one of our member securities firms. |
January 17 (BCP-DR-IT Security) |
Chiyoda Ward Emergency Foreigner Commuter Evacuation Drill (E/J)
(Attendance = 21)
The Tokyo Central Station Commuters Corps held its emergency evacuation drill for foreign residents who live or work in Chiyoda Ward.
|
January 19 (Legal & Regulatory) |
FSA Briefing on Financial Inspection Manual Revisions (J)
(Attendance = 67)
Ms. Tomoko Amaya, Director
Planning & Research Office, Inspection Bureau, FSA
Updates on the changes to the Financial Inspection Manual were presented to IBA members by the FSA.
|
January 29 (BCP-DR-IT Security) |
Roundtable Discussion on the Impact of the Recent Taiwan Earthquake on Operations in Tokyo (E)
(Attendance = 15)
BCP professionals from IBA member firms gathered to discuss the impact of and lessons learned from the disruption to telecommunications that occurred following the earthquake near Taiwan on December 26, 2006.
|
January 30
(Human Resources) |
Inspections - An Off-the-Record HR Roundtable Discussion (J)
(Attendance = 27)
The impact of inspections (FSA, NTA, etc.), focusing particularly on the effects on HR divisions within financial institutions, was discussed amongst nearly 30 HR professionals in an engaging and constructive manner. |
February 1 (Legal & Regulatory) |
Update on the Current Role and Future Direction of the SESC (E)
(Attendance = 72)
Mr. Kiyotaka Sasaki, Director
Enforcement Division, SESC
Mr. Kiyotaka Sasaki, Director of Enforcement for the SESC, briefed senior staff of member firms on the perspective of the SESC on recent market misconducts and the future direction of the SESC in fostering market integrity.
|
February 27 (BSC) |
BSC General Managers Meeting & Reception
(Attendance = 81)
The IBA's Banking Sector Committee held its General Managers meeting on February 27, at the Marunouchi Branch of Standard Chartered Bank. The event featured a keynote address by Mr. Toshihide Endo, Director Banks Division I at the FSA's Supervisory Bureau. Mr. Endo, who is responsible for the supervision of foreign banks and major Japanese banks, provided member firm GMs with an overview of the FSA's supervisory approach. The speech was followed by a well-attended reception, with over 80 attendees from IBA member firms and governmental bodies. The opportunity for BSC members and senior government officials to meet informally proved extremely constructive and was a positive step towards attaining the IBA and FSA's goal of improving dialogue. |
March 8 (Pandemic WG) |
Luncheon Seminar on the Avian Influenza (E)
(Attendance = 27)
Dr. Masato Tashiro, Director of Virology
National Institute of Infectious Diseases
Dr. Masato Tashiro from the NIID described the characteristics of viral avian influenza, some of the circumstances that can lead to a jumping of the species barrier, and some of the potential outcomes in the event of a global pandemic. |
March 13 (Financial Markets) |
The Economic, Market and Political Outlook for Japan (E)
(Attendance = 38)
Dr. Robert Feldman, Head of Japan Economic Research Morgan Stanley Japan
Dr. Robert Feldman, Head of Japan Economic Research at Morgan Stanley Japan, utilized a variety of economic indicators to highlight key trends and plot the economic outlook for Japan in the medium term. The substantial demographic and political challenges facing the nation were also discussed in this well-attended and engaging seminar. |
March 22 (Financial Markets) |
Developments in the Japanese Market Since the End of Zero Interest Rates (E)
(Attendance = 41)
Mr. Hiroshi Nakaso, Director General
Financial Markets Department, Bank of Japan
Mr. Hiroshi Nakaso from the Bank of Japan discussed developments in the Japanese financial market following the move away from the quantitave easing policy, focusing on market liquidity and the BOJ's role in maintaining stability. Mr. Nakaso also spoke of efforts to improve market functions in the money markets and the BOJ's ongoing efforts to improve market intelligence. The talk was followed by a lively Q&A session. |
April 4
(Legal & Regulatory) |
Seminar on Anti-Social Forces (Boryokudan) (J)
(Attendance = 77)
Mr. Hiroshi Matsuda, Managing Director
Tokyo Citizen’s Center for Anti-Social Forces
The IBA welcomed Mr. Hiroshi Matsuda from the Tokyo Citizen’s Centre for Anti-Social Forces, who spoke to members on the Japanese boryokudan. Discussing commonly used tactics and patterns in their attempts to extort money from corporations, Mr. Matsuda presented case studies and provided advice for scenarios when bank staff are confronted with threatening behaviour. |
April 5 (Human Resources) |
Profile of the Global Professional and the Difficulty of Finding Such People in the Japanese Market (E) (Attendance = 38)
Ms. Sakie Fukushima, Regional Managing Director-Japan Korn/Ferry International
Ms. Sakie Fukushima, Regional Managing Director of Korn/Ferry International and one of Japan’s best known executive recruiters, spoke to members on the characteristics of the "global professional", discussing measures HR officers can take to secure the senior-management personnel that is right for their firms. |
April 18 (Human Resources) |
Legal Perspectives on the Impact of Labour Standards Bureau Inspections (J)
(Attendance = 56)
Ms. Akiko Yamakawa, Senior Counsel &
Mr. Kazuki Okada, Partner
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Two leading experts on labour issues from the law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer addressed members on LSB inspections. This was an excellent opportunity for HR professionals to learn more about both the practical and legal aspects of LSB inspections, including the legal ramifications and potential fallout. |
May 10 (Legal & Regulatory) |
Seminar on MOF Foreign Exchange Examinations
(J w/E-interpretation)
(Attendance = 68)
Mr. Yasuhiko Wake, Senior Foreign Exchange Examiner Ministry of Finance
A senior foreign exchange examiner from the Ministry of Finance addressed members on the key elements that comprise MOF foreign exchange examinations, including how they are implemented, and discussed future directions for these examinations. |
May 15 (Human Resources) |
The Role of HR in the Post-Merger Integration Process (J)
(Attendance = 13)
Mr. Osamu Narita, Managing Director
HR Solutions
Mr. Osamu Narita, one of Japan's leading HR consultants, shared his expertise on the post-merger integration (PMI) process. Using a successful case study, Mr. Narita outlined a standard framework for the PMI process and highlighted the vital role that an interim manager can play in ensuring the success of a tie-up. |
May 25 (BCP/IT/DR) |
NTT Network Resiliency, BCP Recommendations, and DR Solutions (E)
(Attendance = 9)
Mr. Ryoji Noguchi, Mr. Takanobu Maeda, Mr. Mitsuaki Sato NTT Communications
Following on lessons learned from the impact of the Taiwan-oki earthquake that severed several major telecommunications cables, representatives from NTT briefed BCP/IT/DR members on cable resiliency here in Japan in the event of a similar disaster, focusing on recovery plans and alternative means of securing the vital links that will ensure the risk impact to business operations is kept as low as possible. |
June 5 (Legal & Regulatory) |
Bank of Japan On-Site Examinations and Off-Site Monitoring
(J w/E-interpretation)
(Attendance = 68)
Mr. Kazuhiro Masaki, Mr. Shinichiro Hayashi &
Mr. Soichi Sato
Financial Systems and Bank Examination Department, Bank of Japan
Three senior BOJ officials addressed members on on-site examinations and off-site monitoring processes. |
June 7 (Human Resources) |
Building Stakeholder Trust Through Modern Communications (E)
(Attendance = 17)
Mr. Robert Pickard, President (North Asia), Edelman
Mr. Robert Pickard of Edelman, one of the world's leading PR firms, reviewed the drivers (and destroyers) of trust and presented strategies and tactics that financial services organizations can employ to ensure the most effective protection and promotion of their corporate image. |
June 27 (Human Resources) |
Off-the-Record HR Roundtable (J)
(Attendance = 15)
The IBA HR Roundtables offer HR professionals an opportunity to raise any work-related issues or problems that they would like to discuss with their colleagues in an open and off-the-record forum. This session also included a presentation by Towers Perrin on a proposal to expand the scope of the annual IBA Salary Survey. |
July 18 (Human Resources) |
Managing Stress, Depression, and Mental Health in the Workplace (J)
(Attendance = 36)
Mr. Takashi Watanabe, President
Life Balance Management
Mr. Takashi Watanabe, a specialist in workplace mental health from Life Balance Management, discussed the current situation regarding stress and depression in workplaces in Japan, and proposed methods on how to best manage mental health within a company. |
August 3 and November 2 (Training) |
Full Day Introduction to Compliance Issues for Foreign Banks (J)
(Attendance = 33 and 34)
Mr. Yoshiki Uchida, President
MDP Business Advisory Co., Ltd.
This full-day course was designed for employees of foreign banks who require an introduction to the legal, regulatory and compliance framework for foreign banks in Japan. |
September 6 and October 25 (Training) |
Seminar on Business Transaction Processes under the New FIEL (E & J)
(Attendance = 72 and 66)
Mr. Tomoaki Ikenaga, Partner
Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
This seminar on the new Financial Instruments and Exchange Law (FIEL) was targeted at all non-compliance staff needing a basic understanding of the law, with an emphasis on transactions with professional investors and the conduct rules regarding sales solicitation. |
September 25 (Legal & Regulatory) |
The FSA’s Efforts Towards Better Regulation (E)
(Attendance = 140)
Mr. Takafumi Sato, Commissioner
Financial Services Agency
Commissioner Sato gave an address to the IBA’s membership on his vision for “better regulation” which includes greater transparency and predictability and increased dialogue with industry. |
October 24
(Legal & Regulatory) |
The Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission's New Strategy (J w/E-interpretation)
(Attendance = 50)
Mr. Junichi Naito, Secretary-General
Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission
An overview of the new SESC strategy was introduced by Mr. Naito, a top official having overall responsibility for executing policies agreed upon by the Board consisting of three Commissioners. |
November 27 (IBA AGM) |
2007 IBA Annual General Meeting and Reception
(Attendance = 150)
The IBA held its 23rd Annual General Meeting at the Hotel Okura, welcoming over 80 senior executives of member firms. Highlights of the meeting included addresses by Mr. Yoshimi Watanabe, Minister of Financial Services and Mr. Masayuki Oku, Chairman of the Japanese Bankers Association and President of the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC). A summary of the IBA’s significant achievements over the year was presented, including strengthening the IBA’s presence among key decision-makers, improving member services and promoting Tokyo as a global financial center. Members approved IBA priorities and elected leadership for 2007-08.
|