Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

Informed Japanese industry watchers believe some more big guns are considering following the trail, notably in electronics.

James Gray, chief executive of East of England International, the region’s inward investment powerhouse, said: “Japanese investment in the East of England is very significant.

“A number of world leading businesses have important operations here.”

He cited:-

• Nissan – which located its European Technology Centre in Cranfield – close to the University and an area where it can access high level engineering and design skills.

• Toshiba, Hitachi and Seiko Epson – which are among Japanese hi-tech companies that have chosen Cambridge as a location for technology and research facilities

• D3 Publisher – the Japanese owned publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software which set up its European headquarters office in Cambridge.

Gray said: “D3 was drawn to Cambridge because of the strong infrastructure links, as it is the major centre for entertainment software, and the high standard of living the area offers.”

• Eisai – which recognised the very strong concentration of pharmaceutical investment in Hertfordshire along the A1(M) ‘Pharma Corridor.’ Last week it broke ground on a £100 million, 500 person European Knowledge Centre to house R+D and manufacturing; this will be Eisai’s European HQ.

• Olympus Keymed – which employs over 700 people in Southend in R+D, manu-facturing, technical support and sales across Europe, the Middle East and in the past five years a Southend-managed US subsidiary.

Gray added: “The region is blessed with many other Japanese Investors such as Inca Digital, Fuji Film, Fujitsu, Sanyo and Sony Computer Entertainment.

“The Japanese tend not to rush decisions but once they have made their mind up about a region they commit with heart and soul.”