Message from the President

Message from the President

　　With the emergence of highly infectious variants, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be prolonged. Amid efforts to prevent the infection of COVID-19, our lifestyles have significantly changed with the imposition of stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions as well as requirements to secure social distancing and avoid crowds, close contact and closed spaces, ushering in the era of new normal.
　　As for corporate activities, working from home and telecommuting have become the norm, and conventional face-to-face sales activities, store transactions, services, etc. have been unavoidably replaced with touchless and contactless business models. It is said that measures for preventing COVID-19 infection have accelerated corporate digital transformation (DX). Some people predict that even if COVID-19 is contained in the future, our lifestyles and corporate activities will not return to how they used to be.
　　Regarding the recent world affairs, the intensifying conflict between the US and China is concerning. Japan depends on the US for security whereas the relationship with China is important in terms of the economy, placing Japan in a dilemma on how to address this situation going forward. Securing economic security is becoming an ever more important challenge for Japanese companies.
　　In addition, the global environment is getting increasingly worse and there is an urgent need to address climate change and environmental protection. Nowadays, many companies are promoting running companies and businesses based on the SDGs, or the Sustainable Development Goals, in which area IP is expected to play an important role.
　　In FY 2021, JIPA plans to contribute to society while complying with the new normal and the basic policies below.

1. Revising and reinforcing activities of the committees, projects, subcommittees, etc.
2. Continuing to develop talent related to IP (training) and promotional activities
3. Taking on the challenge of future-oriented JIPA activities that will drive new value and propositions in the area of IP
4. Deciding what JIPA’s finances should be in the era of new normal
5. Dialoguing with relevant government agencies

　　We are committed to tackling ever diversifying challenges while keeping in mind the slogan of JIPA:
“Creating IP Vision for the World.” I ask all members of JIPA for your continued understanding and support.