Toshio Kato (R) and Zhou Jian browse the old Nantong Daily printed with reports about Nantong Rikio. [Photo/WeChat account: zgntrb]

Toshio Kato, former general manager of the first Sino-Japanese joint venture Nantong Rikio Co Ltd in China, has witnessed the opening-up of Nantong over the past 40 years.

In 1979, China published the Law on Sino-foreign Equity Joint Ventures to open its gate to the outside world, and this subsequently attracted Japan-based outdoor footwear manufacturer Rikio to make its foray into Nantong.

"We were attracted by Nantong's coastal position, which makes it easier to transport products to Japan, as well as its prosperous textile industry," said Kato.

Nantong Rikio expected to suffer losses in its first year but the company ended up achieving profits and even recouped its initial investment within just two and half years.

"The management system of Nantong Rikio was no different from Rikio's other overseas companies, but only Nantong company created a miracle," said Kato, who attributed the success of the company to the locals' open-mindedness and willingness to accept new things.

Toshio Kato is interviewed by journalists. [Photo/WeChat account: zgntrb]

Kato chose to stay in Nantong even after Rikio pulled its operations from Nantong, citing an increasingly vibrant business environment which attracted many foreign-invested companies.

Due to his outstanding management capability and his tight connections with the locals, Kato now serves as Nantong's investment promotion ambassador.

"Because of Kato's recommendations, there are more than 20 foreign-invested companies that have attained success in Nantong," said Zhou Jian, a former journalist of Nantong Daily and an old friend of Kato.

As of 2020, Nantong had attracted investors from more than 120 countries and regions to set up 11,703 companies that utilized a combined $43 billion in foreign investment. Among these companies, 114 were by Global Fortune 500 enterprises.

Kato expressed hope that the construction of new airport and subway in Nantong will be accelerated to make the city more accessible to foreigners.