TRADERS’ SUCCESS IN JAPAN

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31830, 7 November 1968, Page 22

TRADERS’ SUCCESS IN JAPAN

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 6. With its three-week visit only half completed, New Zealand’s first full-scale trade mission to Japan shows signs of being the most successful overseas trade venture mounted. The Publi ity Department said in a statement tonight that the mission, sponsored by the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, had obtained firm orders for many products. One member re-

ported he had found buyers for a full year’s production of one of his lines. Inquiries have been particularly strong for sheep and lambskin rugs, processed foods, seafoods and assorted agricultural by-products. The New Zealanders, most of whom have previously visited Japan on private business, attribute their success to travelling as members of a mission, the statement says. The mission has received a large amount of publicity, par-

ticularly in the Japaneselanguage trade and economic press. In the week before the New Zealanders’ arrival at Tokyo on October 23, 17 trade missions or delegations passed through the city, but none received the same amount of publicity in the Japanese news media.

Assisted by a coinciding New Zealand food festival and a small Maori concert troupe in a large Osaka department store, the mission has re-

ceived strong treatment by Japanese news. After leaving Osaka, the mission will spend a few days at Nagoya, famous for its pottery' and textiles, before dispersing at Tokyo on Tuesday. Fifteen members, however, will form a New Zealand trade delegation'to the Philippines for four day* on their way home.