YES-program

YES-Program

The YES (Young Executive Stay) program is a commercial export project under the auspices of His Royal Highness Prince Philippe of Belgium. It aims to train young executives from Belgium and Luxembourg in successful Japanese business practices, at moderate costs, and in a short amount of time. For this purpose, every two years, the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan, the Belgium-Japan Association & Chamber of Commerce and the Chambre de Commerce de Luxembourg organize a one-week training program in Japan, beginning with two briefing sessions in Belgium. The training in Japan consists of 1 lecture day and the remaining days are spent introducing each participant to potential customers and/or business partners in his business area. The YES program enjoys the support of the Embassies of Belgium and Luxembourg in Japan and of the representatives of the three Belgian Regions.

Who is the YES-program for?

You are a young executive working for a small or medium-sized company in Belgium or Luxembourg. Your company is interested in the Japanese market. You do not want to be one of the participants in a trade mission, but rather prefer to have a personalized hands-on program, which gives you direct contact with your potential customers and partners in Japan.

Program in Belgium: Seminars and Briefing Sessions

Two seminars covering items concerning export to Japan and Japanese business culture are being held prior to your departure to Japan.
Also two separate days of intensive preparatory briefing sessions will be held for the selected YES participants in Belgium, with speakers and experts on various topics concerning export to Japan.

Program in Japan: Lectures and Business Meetings

The Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan is committed to getting real business prospects for each participant.

Lecture day

The lectures will cover different aspects of the business environment in Japan, such as the recent evolution of the economy, types of enterprises, potential in different sectors, and general business practices as well as more specific aspects, such as commercial laws, trade barriers, shipping and distribution practices.

Introduction to the market: business meetings

Under guidance of a member of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan (the "business coach"), and with the help from students from Sophia University in Tokyo, each participant will have the opportunity to contact potential customers and organize business meetings.
Each YES program participant will work individually with a business coach, who will be selected from a company that is related to the participant's business, but not in direct competition.

Financial contribution from each participant

The YES program is at low cost to your company. The organizers will bear most of the direct costs of your trip to Japan, including your economy class airplane ticket, accommodation during the whole program, organization of seminars, Japanese language lessons, a reception at the Embassy where you can invite potential business contacts, and commercial support.

A token fee of 1,450 EUR to partially cover expenses should be paid to the BLCCJ upon confirmation of selection. This fee is non-reimburseable. Please note that other costs such as your personal out-of-pocket expenses, including food, entertainment, and domestic travel are to be borne by the participant.

When does the YES program take place?

The latest edition of YES, YES VIII, took place in June 2012. The next edition is foreseen for 2014. More details will be given in due time.

Feedback from YES VIII 2012:

6 companies participated in Yes VIII, 5 from Belgium, 1 from Luxembourg. They all had several interesting business meetings with potential Japanese customers, and some participants are about to sign a contract. They all agreed that the YES program is amazing because it gives smaller companies the opportunity to explore the Japanese market, which would stay a dream if it were not for YES. The end of YES VIII coincided with the economic mission to Japan of HRH Prince Philippe of Belgium, which gave the YES participants the chance to personally express their gratitude for the program.

For more details on the YES program:

Coordinator for Japan:

The Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan, Ms. Sophie Bocklandt, General Manager

info@blccj.or.jp

T +81 (0)3 6457 8662

F +81 (0)3 6457 8663

Coordinator for Belgium:

The Belgium-Japan Association & Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Anja Oto-Kellens, Executive Director
Oto-kellens@bja.be
T +32 (0)2 644 13 33
F +32 (0)2 644 23 60

Coordinator for Luxembourg:

The Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Jean-Claude Vesque
jean-claude.vesque@cc.lu