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= The Israel Japan Friendship Society and Chamber of Commerce = The Israel Japan Friendship Society and Chamber of Commerce (also referred to as IJFS and IJCC) is a non-profit organization with its headquarters in Israel. It is focussed on promoting and establishing trade, economic and cultural ties between Israel and Japan. The organization stands as a key factor in promoting Japanese culture in Israel and promoting trade ties between the two countries. The community of members in the organization is diverse and heterogeneous; Some members of the organization experience the culture of Japan on a daily basis as part of their work, while others experience it out of personal interest, whether they have been in Japan in the past or not.

The organization consists of two bodies:


 * 1) Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce (IJCC)
 * 2) Israel-Japan Friendship Association (IJFS)

Activity
The Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce works to create a platform for businessmen from both countries in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy in Israel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy, the Export Institute, the Manufacturers Association, the Association of Chambers of Commerce, public and private bodies. Today, the current chairman is Adv. Zeev Weiss, the chairman of the Friendship Association, Mr. Arie Kotz, and the CEO of the Friendship Association, Mrs. Sofia Goglev.

The Israel-Japan Friendship Association constitutes a window for lovers of Japanese culture in Israel in all of its shades. The organization promotes a variety of lectures, seminars, performances and events for lovers of Japan throughout the country.

The association was established in 1956, about four years after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Japan, out of the intention of formalizing a mutual friendly relationship between the two countries. The relationship between the two countries is expressed both at the business level through the development of trade relations with Japan and the creation of a platform for business people; and at the socio-cultural level where the organization supports and encourages cultural, art, folklore and social relations with Israeli and Japanese individuals and institutions.

In late 1956, the late Mr. Moshe Bezerno returned from a comprehensive tour to the Far East as head of an economic research delegation. He shared his impression with a group of personalities from various fields, and together they decided to establish a friendship association between Israel and Japan.

The main reason for the name "Friendship Association '' was due to the fact that at that time Japanese law did not allow the establishment of bi-national chambers of commerce in Japan. However, there was no impediment to establishing bi-national friendship associations, and indeed, it was not long before three Japan-Israel Friendship Associations were registered in Tokyo, Headed by top-notch Japanese public figures.

As the circle of activists from the business and industrial sectors expanded, the need for the Chamber of Commerce was felt. And indeed a few years later the name of the organization was changed to "Israel Japan Friendship society and Chamber of Commerce" and expanded the field of activity accordingly. Also, with the publication of the Associations Law, the organization was registered as an association.

When the association’s chairman Mr. Moshe Bezerno fell ill, the need to find a new chairman with a reputation suitable for the position arose. The new chairman was Dr. Mossberg, the owner of Nehushtan company at the time and an avid collector of Japanese artefacts. Dr. Mossberg met the requirements and was elected chairman of the organization.

Dr. Mossberg served in the position for a number of years, and when he decided to retire due to his age, Adv. Ram Solomon was appointed active chairman and alongside him two deputies, one in charge of the Friendship Association and the other in the Chamber of Commerce.

The financial delegation that visited Japan in 1993 was at the forefront of the approval of the Israeli stock exchange by the Japanese authorities. Delegations organized by the Chamber of Commerce poured content into the important relationships with the KEIDANREN and were the opening signal for the arrival of the major trading companies to Israel.

The economic relations between the two countries gained a leap forward with the trip of the former Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Micha Harish, to Japan, as well as to their establishment for general relations between the two countries with a visit by the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, and a reciprocal visit by the then Prime Minister of Japan Muriama.

These official visits, which were always accompanied by the chairman of the association, led to the signing of important agreements in the field of science and culture, as well as the announcement of the opening of the JETRO office in Israel.

List of honorary presidents of the organization
This list consists of members selected as a sign of respect and appreciation for their contribution to the advancement of cultural, economic and trade ties between Israel and Japan.Mr. Elhanan Harel


 * Mr. Elhanan Harel
 * Adv. Ram Salomon
 * Dr. Roni Bornstein
 * Mr. Mickey Ron

Friendship Society (IJFS)
The association was established in 1956, about four years after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Japan, out of a desire to bring the two countries together in the business and socio-cultural spheres.

The Friendship Society is a non-profit organization that holds goals to encourage knowledge regarding the cultural aspects of Japan among Israelis. Membership in the Israel-Japan Friendship Society is open to anyone interested in Japan and its culture. Members who are interested in various topics of Japanese culture include Israeli artists, academics, researchers and citizens.

Among the founders and first chairman of the Friendship Society were Prof. Eli Lantzman, Mr. Moshe Bezerno, a businessman and diplomat, and Mr. K. Kosberg. In addition, Mr. Ram Salomon, a lawyer, who composed the Friendship Society laws.

In 1998, the JAPANGEO website was established, which was the first website in Israel dedicated entirely to Japanese culture. The site was established by Prof. Eli Lantzman, the association's chairman at the time, and two students from the Technion.

The association in Israel works in full cooperation with another similar association in Japan: the Israel-Japan Friendship Association (JIFA).

Among other things, the Friendship Association operates in areas such as:


 * Promoting scientific involvement and a general understanding of Japanese culture in Israel.
 * Development of social and cultural ties between Israel and Japan.
 * Hosting events related to Japanese culture, such as movies, lectures, exhibitions and workshops.
 * Tanabata Events: The association's annual summer event.
 * Preservation and promotion of communication with cultural institutions in Japan.
 * Connection between Japanese and Israeli researchers, artists and other stakeholders.
 * Production of related lectures in Japan to the general public in collaboration with the Japanese Embassy in Israel ("Shish Embassy", ie, Friday at the Embassy, in collaboration with JIFA).
 * Maintenance of a Hebrew website that serves as an aid to Japanese studies. https://japangeo.org.il/index.php/

Chamber of Commerce (IJCC)
The Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce has been contributing for many years to the development of commercial relations with Japan and to the creation of a platform for businessmen from both countries. The Chamber of Commerce cooperates with many commercial entities, including: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Trade and Employment, the Export Institute, JETRO Israel, social organizations, commercial entities, etc. Membership in the Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce is appointed and is intended primarily for companies and entities related to businesses, as well as entrepreneurs who engage in or are interested in trade relations with Japan.

The main goals of the organization are:


 * Join and integrate all the various entities operating in the fields of trade and the like in Israel.


 * Initiate and promote cultural, commercial and economic relations between Israel and Japan.
 * To help Israeli businessmen and companies break into the Japanese market and find business partners in Japan. And respectively, to help Japanese companies break into the Israeli market and find business partners in Israel.
 * Provide vital and relevant information about manufacturers, exporters and importers operating in the fields of trade, economy and culture in Japan.
 * Learn and promote the business culture of Japan in Israel.

Japan is recognized among the largest and most attractive markets in the world. However, it is known for its unique business culture that requires in-depth recognition and entry into this world requires standards of high quality. The organization believes in the high potential of trade between the two countries, which is growing year by year, and knows that together we will succeed in bringing significant growth.

Among others, the Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce operates in various fields, such as:


 * Seminars on business culture and business with Japan.
 * Lectures and social events throughout the year.
 * Business events.
 * Providing information.
 * Assistance in cooperation between Japanese and Israeli government or private bodies.
 * Consulting and deepening cooperation with parallel economic organizations in Japan.
 * Help in developing relationships, organizing delegations and more.

Also, since its establishment, the Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce has held an annual Excellence Ceremony every year. In this ceremony, a medal of excellence is awarded to winning companies selected by a special awards committee led by the committee's chairman, Adv. Shmuel Schnitzer, and Japan's ambassador to Israel. The awards are highly acclaimed, and are an important opportunity for business people working with or interested in working with Japan.

In this ceremony, the Chamber of Commerce selects and commemorates Israeli companies that have excelled in relations with Japan.This festive event is attended by senior representatives of the award-winning companies, representatives of companies trading with Japan, representatives of Japanese trading companies, senior representatives of government ministries, representatives of banks, the Export Institute, other chambers of commerce and more.

Israel-Japan Friendship Society - Jerusalem branch
The Jerusalem branch of the Israel-Japan Friendship Society was established in 1965 by Mr. Yaakov Tashima and Dr. Uri Epstein.But with the outbreak of the Six-Day War in Israel, Mr. Yaakov Tshima left the country, and the association's activity ceased.

In 1970, it was decided to resume the association's activities in Jerusalem after a five-year hiatus. From then until 1983, dozens of activities by the Israel-Japan Friendship Society took place in Jerusalem at various sites, including Beit Shalom, YMCA, the Youth Culture Center, the Israel Museum, the Wise Hall at the Hebrew University, the Cinematheque and the Academy of Music.The activities included lectures and performance of Japanese dance, Martial arts, Japanese film screening, tea ceremony and concerts of traditional and modern Japanese music with traditional and modern instruments.

Until 1983, most of the activities of the Jerusalem Friendship Society took place under the auspices and funding of the Jewish Agency's Department of Foreign Relations. With the liquidation of this department, its financial support for the activities of the Friendship Society in Jerusalem was also canceled.

In 1984, the General Assembly of the Israel-Japan Friendship Society decided to establish an extended board of directors of the National Society, which includes members of the Jerusalem Friendship Society Committee (by virtue of their position).

Between the years 1983 and 2004, most of the activities of the Friendship Association in Jerusalem took place at the Center for the Peoples' Culture of Youth, with a generous hand. The death of Mr. Zvi Dagan, director of the Center for Folk Culture in Jerusalem, led to a dwindling in the number of activities and meetings of the Jerusalem branch.

In 2009, the normal operations of the Jerusalem branch were resumed under the leadership of Mrs. Sigal Galil. The "Japan in the Garden" lecture project was established in collaboration with the Botanical Garden, as well as a variety of other activities aimed at the Jerusalem audience. With the retirement of Mrs. Sigal Galil in 2011, Mr. Boaz Tzairi was appointed head of the Jerusalem branch.