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Could you provide a brief overview of the Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and Industry (YCCI), discuss its history and tell us a little about its role in supporting business?

YCCI is a regional comprehensive economic organisation established in accordance with Japan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Act. With a membership that includes corporations, individuals and organisations, it works to promote commerce and industry and advance the local region.

YCCI’s history is closely connected to the development of modern industry in Japan. Since the opening of Yokohama’s port in 1859, the city has developed as one of Japan’s major hubs of trade and economic activity and become a location where many people engaged in trade and industry gather. It was in this context that YCCI was established in 1880 to bring together the opinions of business operators and promote the development of the local economy.

These days, YCCI provides comprehensive support for the management of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by offering various types of assistance. These include making requests on behalf of SMEs to Japan’s national government and the local governments of Kanagawa Prefecture and the city of Yokohama. We also provide advice on managing SMEs, as well as