In globalization, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is emerging as a significant engine for global economic growth. Over the past five years, the GBA's economy has exceeded 14 trillion yuan, placing it on par with Japan's Tokyo Bay Area, one of the world’s leading bay areas. While Tokyo Bay Area was once the "world's largest industrial belt", it is now transforming into a knowledge-driven hub, providing valuable insights for the GBA's industrial upgrade.

Recently at the Canton Fair, many Chinese intelligent manufacturing products took center stage, thus gaining international orders. This mirrors the global path of Tokyo Bay Area companies like F-TECH, a Saitama-based firm that pivoted from motorcycle parts to automotive components through independent R&D and a global footprint. Mujin, another standout company, developed the first intelligent robot controller, realized the independent planning of industrial robots, lowering the threshold for use in the industry and expanding its global market reach.

Moreover, Tokyo Bay Area companies anticipate the GBA as a world-class urban cluster and one of China’s most vibrant, open regions. F-TECH, which has operated a factory in Guangdong for over 20 years, has leveraged the GBA's dynamic economy to build an R&D center and collaborate closely with new energy vehicle companies. Mujin has also established an overseas branch in Guangzhou, utilizing the GBA's technological advantages and open business environment to pursue more partnerships.

As one of Japan's top trading corporations, Itochu has been developing its business in the GBA, from upstream industries such as raw materials for metals and plastics to downstream sectors like food distribution and lithium battery trade. Tomoaki Katae, General Manager of Itochu Guangzhou Ltd., noted that Guangzhou offers not only an energetic investment landscape but also immense economic potential. The company actively seeks new opportunities in the GBA to support regional economic development.

With a nearly 30-year development in Guangdong, Panasonic has designated the province as a crucial base for research, production, and sales. Its ongoing factory expansions and enhanced R&D efforts align with supporting China's communications and IT industries. Zhao Bingdi, President of Panasonic China, stated that the GBA's excellent business environment has significantly advanced Panasonic's technological innovation and industrial upgrade efforts. Panasonic established an electronic materials factory in Huangpu District, its only R&D center outside Japan, facilitating the group's expansion in China.

In March2024, Meiji Group opened its first integrated dairy and chocolate production facility in Guangzhou, underscoring its strategy for the South China market. Kazuo Kawamura, Presidentof MeijiHoldings Co., Ltd. emphasized that the new facility not only boosts production capacity but also reflects the Chinese market's strategic importance in the company's global expansion.

Source: Lingnan on the Cloud

粤港澳湾区对话东京湾区丨日企在粤港澳大湾区找到更多礼物

在全球化浪潮中，粤港澳大湾区逐渐成为推动全球经济增长的重要引擎。五年来，粤港澳大湾区经济总量突破14万亿元，与日本东京湾区的经济总量旗鼓相当，位居世界四大湾区前列。东京湾区曾为“世界最大工业带”，如今正向知识型湾区转型。其产业升级的经验对粤港澳湾区的产业升级提供了宝贵的启示。

在不久前的广交会上，众多中国智能制造产品亮相，“中国制造”凭创新实力斩获国际订单。这与东京湾区企业的全球化路径相似。创立于日本埼玉县的F-TECH便是典型代表，依托自主研发和全球布局，从摩托车配件转型为汽车配件，积极应对全球市场的变化。Mujin牧今科技公司则开发出世界首台智能机器人控制器，实现了工业机器人自主规划，降低了行业使用门槛，进一步拓展了全球市场。

此外，不少东京湾区企业在受访时表示，未来的粤港澳大湾区是世界级城市群，也是中国最具活力和代表性的开放性区域。F-TECH在广东设厂逾20年，凭借粤港澳大湾区的经济活力，逐步建立研发中心，与新能源汽车企业密切合作。Mujin也在广州设立海外分支，借力粤港澳大湾区的科技优势和开放的营商环境，寻求更多合作伙伴。

作为日本顶尖的贸易集团，伊藤忠商事在粤港澳大湾区深耕多年，从铝、铜、化学品、塑料、卫生的原材料等上游产业，到食品流通、电子材料（包括半导体）、锂电池贸易等下游产业，与大湾区企业有着深入的合作。广州伊藤忠商事有限公司总经理片江智明表示，广州不仅是充满活力的投资城市，也是经济潜力巨大的发展区域。该公司在大湾区寻找新机遇，积极助力大湾区经济发展。

松下集团在粤发展近30年，已将广东作为其重要的研产销基地。公司在粤的工厂不断扩建并强化研发，以更好地支持中国通讯和IT产业的发展。松下集团中国区总裁赵炳弟称，粤港澳大湾区的优质营商环境让松下在技术创新和产业升级方面获得了显著成果。松下在黄埔区设有电子材料工厂，这是松下在海外唯一的研发中心，极大地推动了集团在华业务的扩展。

明治集团今年3月在广州开设了首个乳制品和巧克力零食复合工厂，表明了继续深耕华南市场的决心。株式会社明治社长松田克也表示，新工厂不仅扩大了生产能力，还体现了中国市场在集团全球布局中的重要地位。

总策划丨任天阳
总统筹丨林海利
总执行丨孙璇
策划执行丨吴江
统筹执行丨孙晶 刘佳宁
文丨羊城晚报特派东京记者孙绮曼 孙晶 严锦程 羊城晚报记者莫谨榕 黄婷 王丹阳 许张超
翻译丨王枥焓
英文审校丨赵凡