U of A Alumnus Participates in Japan-America Joint Vocational Training Program on All Returns Market

Today, June 21, CEPEX, a nonprofit organization, will host a Japan-America joint vocational training on All Returns Market focusing on potential U.S.-Japan economic collaboration. The event will address developments in the U.S. retail and return market's new workforce prior to and following the impact of COVID-19. Opening remarks will be given by the Honorable Shinji Watanabe, consul general of Japan in Nashville, and speakers will include alumnus Neal Jansen, director, Arkansas Economic Development Commission Asia Office.  

Tatsuya Fukushima, associate professor of Japanese at the U of A, said, "Jansen was in the first class of alumni with a minor in Japanese with Business Orientation and has near-nativelike fluency in Japanese today." 

The event will be held at the U of A's "The Collaborative" in Bentonville, 700 SE Fifth St., and will feature presentations, a panel discussion and a Q&A with a light lunch served at 11:30 a.m. The complete invitation, agenda and list of speakers are included below. 

To RSVP (on-site or online), please click the links below: 

On-site registration 

Online registration 

Event Invitation  

Japan-America Joint Vocational Training Program on All Returns Market 

Before COVID: From "Product Out" to "Market In" 

After COVID: From "Market In" to "Market Return" 

CEPEX invites you to join for a discussion of potential U.S.-Japan collaboration with the private sector, government authorities and educational institutions on how to address new workforce development in the U.S. retail and return market: total returns reached $745 billion, with the return rate up to 14.5 percent in 2023. This is a new challenge and opportunity for market innovation and workforce skills development.   

Agenda 

11:30 a.m.: Light lunch 

Noon: Opening remarks  

• Hon Shinji Watanabe, consul general of Japan in Nashville. 

• Stephanie Isaacs, director of Arkansas' Office of Skills Development.

12:15 p.m.: Presentations 

• "From Product Out to Market Return" 

• "Responsible Refurb & Recycle"

1:15 p.m.: Panel discussion and Q&A, Joe Rollings, director, Northwest Arkansas Council 

2 p.m.: Closing remarks, Ron Maloney, director, Northwest Arkansas Council 

Speakers 

• Yoshihiro Sasaki, president and CEO, R-CUBES 

• Neal Jansen, director, Arkansas Economic Development Commission Asia Office 

• Daijiro Niwa, director, Mizuho Bank Ltd.  

• Seiichiro Tanigaki, GM, Global BD, Asuene Inc. (via Online)  

• Adam Jones, senior corporate partnerships manager, Plug and Play 

Emcee 

Yukio Tada, chairman of the board, CEPEX  

Useful references:

• YouTube video on the Japan-America Joint Vocational Training Program

• New Yorker article about "reverse logistics," the hidden cost of free returns  

• Center for Professional Exchange