CJ chief doubles down on Japan amid K-culture tailwind
CJ Group Chair Lee Jae-hyun made his first overseas workplace visit of the year to Japan earlier this month, stepping up the conglomerate's global push in a neighboring market deeply steeped in Korean cultural influence.
According to the company on Wednesday, Lee visited Tokyo from April 2-4, accompanied by senior executives from the group's affiliates, during which he inspected CJ operations and underscored the importance of seizing opportunities.
His bid comes at a moment when CJ is widening its reach with a growing mix of operations across food, entertainment and beauty.
'The Korean Wave in Japan is not merely a fleeting trend, but a crucial opportunity for K-culture to take deeper root in global markets,' Lee said, adding that ventures like the company's food and entertainment businesses must capitalize on the momentum.
CJ CheilJedang is actively expanding its food portfolio in Japan, while CJ ENM operates Lapone Entertainment — a joint venture established in 2019 with Japanese entertainment company Yoshimoto Kogyo. Last year, CJ Olive Young set up a local subsidiary in Japan, which it has identified as one of its key strategic markets.
To position CJ as a leading global player, Lee further called for accelerated localization alongside the development of global infrastructure, while urging the pursuit of new business opportunities, including expanding the market presence of CJ Olive Young.
His visit also included high-stakes business talks with Japanese company chairmen, including those from TBS Holdings, Itochu Corporation and Mizuho Financial Group, during which they explored business cooperation and shared insights on potential new business initiatives.
Veering beyond corporate matters, Lee engaged in discussions with academics and cultural experts about the rising popularity of K-culture and the search for new growth drivers in Japan's economic landscape.
'The chairman's visit was aimed at understanding local trends on-site and check on the progress of global expansion, at a time when Korean culture continues to spread among younger generations in Japan,' a company official said. 'He will continue sharing the group's vision with employees and strengthening communication as CJ accelerates its global push."
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