A delegation of nine members of the National Council Foreign Affairs Committee will be in Japan from 7 to 11 November to discuss Switzerland's foreign economic policy. The delegation will meet various representatives of the local economy active in the fields of research and development, innovation, and technology. During the official meetings, the delegation will also discuss the dynamics of regional security, the subject of energy, as well as the possibilities of strengthening bilateral economic relations between Switzerland and Japan and Switzerland's desire to modernise the free trade agreement in force since 2009.

After China, Japan is Switzerland's second most important trading partner in Asia (excluding precious metals), with an annual trade volume of around CHF 12 billion. It is also a key partner in Switzerland's diversification of its network in Asia. There is great potential for cooperation between Japan and Switzerland in the fields of trade, investment and science, and the two countries also hope to strengthen their already close links in the fields of digitalisation, cyber security and sustainable development. Switzerland's wish to update the existing free trade agreement with Japan, which dates from 2009, will also be discussed.

During the visit, the delegation will meet representatives of the Japanese National Diet's Foreign Affairs Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The possibilities for strengthening bilateral economic relations, as well as priority foreign policy issues such as regional security dynamics and energy, will be at the heart of the delegation's discussions with its Japanese interlocutors.

In Tokyo, the delegation will visit NEC Corporation, one of Japan's largest technology companies and a major investor in Switzerland, and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). The delegation will also have the opportunity to visit the Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF), the largest machine tool fair in the country, which takes place every two years in Tokyo. Swissmem, supported by Swiss Business Hub Japan, is organising the participation of Swiss businesses in the fair and has attracted more than 100 businesses to date.

The delegation will also visit Osaka, where they will see the future offices of the Swiss Consulate in Osaka - which will house the Swissnex Japan office. Here scientists and founders of Swiss start-ups will have the opportunity to present their activities to the delegation. Osaka will also host the 2025 World Expo, at which the Swiss Pavilion will highlight Switzerland's innovative strength and capabilities in the fields of environment, health and economy. The vice secretary general of EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai, Mr Ichinoki Manatsu, will discuss with the delegation the challenges of organising such a large-scale event. Finally, the delegation will visit Screen Holdings, a leading company in the semiconductor market.

The delegation also plans to meet members of the Swiss Club of Tokyo, the delegate of the Council of the Swiss Abroad of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) and members of Swiss Alumni in Japan.

Each year, the foreign affairs committees travel abroad with a delegation on a fact-finding trip. This year's FAC-N delegation will be led by its president, Franz Grüter (SVP/LU), and will include National Council members Sibel Arslan (Greens/BS), Tiana Angelina Moser (GLP/ZH), Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter (Centre.EVP/BL), Hans-Peter Portmann (FDP/ZH), Andreas Aebi (SVP/BE), Roger Köppel (SVP/ZH), Fabian Molina (SP/ZH) and Eric Nussbaumer (SP/BL).