The Chubu Economic Federation announced on the 5th that Vice-Chairperson Tsuge Yasuhide (柘植 康英) had become chairperson. Chairperson Katsuno Satoshi (勝野 哲) stepped down. Amid disruption stemming from Chubu Electric Power's data falsification issue, the federation will be expected to address challenges including delayed growth investment and labor shortages.
The Chubu Economic Federation announced on the 5th that Vice-Chairperson Tsuge Yasuhide (柘植 康英), 73, an adviser to JR Central, had become chairperson on the same date. Chairperson Katsuno Satoshi (勝野 哲), 72, the former chairperson of Chubu Electric Power, stepped down. The federation was thrown into turmoil by the sudden change in leadership following Chubu Electric Power's data falsification issue, while regional challenges including delayed growth investment and labor shortages remain. Tsuge will be expected to lead the Chubu business community without disruption.
New Chairperson Tsuge said at a press conference in Nagoya that he had taken on a major responsibility amid the sudden change, and that he wanted to devote himself fully to the federation's activities as the final public service of his working life. Many previous chairpersons came from Chubu Electric Power, but Vice-Chairperson Hayashi Kingo (林 欣吾) also stepped down on the same date. It was noted that this was the first time in about 69 years that neither the federation's chairperson nor its vice-chairperson came from Chubu Electric Power.
Tsuge is the first person from JR Central to become chairperson. He highlighted his experience as president and chairperson of JR Central and his 12 years as vice-chairperson, saying that he wanted to use his broad network as chairperson of the federation. He adopted the slogan “Strengthen Chubu, strengthen Japan. Refine our strengths and create new ones,” and indicated that he would support the implementation of new technologies in manufacturing, investment in human resources and wider-area cooperation.
Chubu still faces challenges involving major projects such as the Chuo Shinkansen maglev line and the redevelopment of Nagoya Station, while delays in tourism promotion have also been pointed out. As Aichi Prefecture seeks designation as a secondary capital, the question is whether the region can work closely on local projects and challenges and clearly set the regional economy on a growth trajectory. In remarks before the press conference, Katsuno said he hoped the federation would continue to connect the voices of the region as a wide-area organization.