Burson-Marsteller and GR Japan to offer strategic government relations advisory services in Japan
Tokyo, Japan, 31 March, 2010 – Burson-Marsteller Japan, a leading global public relations and communications consultancy, and GR Japan, a dynamic team of Japan government relations specialists, today announced that they have concluded an exclusive agreement to offer multinational clients in Japan joint strategic government relations and public relations advisory services. The two companies have agreed to collaborate to meet the increasing demand for professional public affairs and government relations services in Japan.
Jakob Edberg, Managing Director of GR Japan, commented: "I am delighted to be able to present current and future customers in Japan with this competitive new offering, in which our government relations capability is complemented and strengthened by the best-in-class communication services of Burson-Marsteller Japan. This is an exciting time for foreign companies wanting to do business here, as they face new challenges and opportunities in their dealings with government and regulatory authorities. With the emergence of the new Administration, led by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, and the gradual emergence of a two-party system, convincing arguments based on public interest are increasingly replacing Japan’s infamous smoke-filled back-room deals. Together with Burson-Marsteller, GR Japan is ideally suited to help clients navigate these changes, and to turn the newly fluid political and regulatory situation in Japan to their commercial advantage."
Shuri Fukunaga, Market Leader and Managing Director of Burson-Marsteller Japan, commented: "We are pleased to offer our clients this invaluable new service. Our collaboration with GR Japan brings to our clients a new level of transparency and effectiveness in their dealings with government. Government regulators and lawmakers are an increasingly important stakeholder for businesses in Japan and it is important for them to combine best practice in this field with the benefits of transparent communications. As today’s economic, social and financial realities force changes, effective two-way communciation between government and business can have a fundamental impact on all firms, especially those seeking to uphold high standards of corporate governance. Working together with the GR Japan team in this area enables Burson-Marsteller Japan a whole new set of options – effective solutions for firms that are dedicated to succeed in Japan."
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About Burson-Marsteller Burson-Marsteller (www.burson-marsteller.com), established in 1953, is a leading global public relations and public affairs firm. It provides clients with strategic thinking and program execution across a full range of public relations, public affairs, advertising, and web-related services. The firm’s seamless worldwide network consists of 57 wholly-owned offices and 44 affiliate offices, together operating in 58 countries across six continents. Burson-Marsteller is a part of Young & Rubicam Brands, a subsidiary of WPP (NASDQ: WPPGY), one of the world’s leading communications services networks.
Burson-Marsteller was one of the first international public relations agency to establish an office in Japan in 1973. Burson-Marsteller Japan is a full service agency with core capabilities in IT/Marketing, Corporate/Financial, Healthcare, Health & Lifestyle, Crisis Management, M&A / Change Communications, etc. with a client roster of Fortune 500 multinationals and blue-chip Japanese companies.
About GR Japan GR Japan (www.grjapan.com), established in 2004, is a professional consultancy dedicated to helping companies, financial institutions, and public bodies create and implement government relations and public affairs strategies that work in Japan. Its founding partners, Jakob Edberg and Philip Howard, have many years’ combined experience dealing with the Japanese government and business. They have put together an experienced team of government relations professionals and senior advisers including former Japanese government officials and senior politicians from each of Japan’s major parties. The GR Japan team has first-hand experience of Japanese policy-making inside and out, and has helped clients from all over the world shape their competitive environment and to successfully navigate many high-profile issues in Japan.
Media contacts:
Burson-Marsteller Japan
Cindy Low +81-(0)3-3264-6969; cindy.low@bm.com
Etsuyo Fukushima +81-(0)3-3264-7456; etsuyo.fukushima@bm.com
GR Japan
Jakob Edberg +81-(0)3-3264-6761 jakob.edberg@grjapan.com
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