Overview of Sogo Shoha, Japan’s Unique Trading Giants (webinar)

The Government of Ontario is offering a webinar on Japanese General Trading Houses (Sogo Shosha) and the market trends in Japan for Ontario-based businesses.

Japan, the 4th largest global economy with GDP of C$6.02 trillion (double of Canada), and Canada’s 4th largest trading partner, also ranks as the 2nd largest consumer market worldwide. Japan and Canada are part of the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) which eliminates tariffs on many goods and services, providing Canadian exporters with improved access to Japanese market. Japan’s population of 123 million (2025) faces demographic challenges, with 36 million (29.3%) aged 65 or older in 2024. As Canada’s sole G7 partner in the Indo-Pacific, Japan plays a key role in the region, aligning with Canada’s 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy to enhance partnerships and address energy, food security, and climate change.

General Trading Companies, or Sogo Shosha (総合商社), are the giants of the Japanese business world. They handle everything from energy, minerals, metals, machinery, textiles, to food, acting as intermediaries between sellers and buyers in domestic and international markets, and they have investments and holdings in major corporations, banks, and key infrastructures around the world. These companies have global reach with offices and operations in countries around the world. They leverage their extensive networks and financial resources to facilitate trade, provide value-added services, and invest in promising businesses. Their broad scope of operations allows them to adapt to market changes and seize new business opportunities, making them a driving force in the Japanese economy. Top 7 Sogo Shosha Annual Profit in FY2023 reached C$44 billion with market capital of C$500 billion.

Speaker: Stephen Ip, Trade Programs Branch, Japan & Korea, MEDJCT

Before joining the Government of Ontario, Stephen dedicated 28 years to Marubeni Corporation, a major Japanese conglomerate, where he specialized in international business development across sectors (textiles, aerospace, machinery, energy, power and infrastructure). Stephen holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto and an MBA in Data Analytics from the University of Fredericton.

The webinar will be delivered in English.

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