Training Location:   Osaka Stock Exchange   1-8-16 Kitahama, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Date: July 14th-18th Year 2008

Fun, Exciting and Informative! These three terms sum up the FICA Financial Leadership Training International Conference in Osaka, Japan. FICA Members will go through training at both the Osaka Securities Exchange and the Nikkei Exchange. The birthplace for futures transactions: "Dojimakomekaisho" The origin of Osaka Securities Exchange stems from Edo Period, when the exchange for rice & crop was established in Osaka, center of Japanese economy. Each prefecture set up its own warehouses in Osaka for shipping & preservation of their rice (to be taxed by the government), and sold them to merchants. One of the most famous merchants was "Yodoya", which was based upon the southern part of Yodoyabashi area. Some other merchants gradually gathered to create one market. This market was called "Yodoya-Komeichi", which was the first securities exchange in the nation. Later on, this market was moved to Dojima in 1697, so-called "Dojimakomekaisho", which was a physical market to trade in rice-tickets or physical rice. In 1716, Cho-gomai transaction was introduced and recognized by the government in 1730, which is said to be the origin of futures transactions in Japan.

Since Japan's first capital was established in Osaka in the seventh century, Osaka has been the consistent leader in Japanese culture. The spirited Osaka merchants were free thinkers, contributing to and supporting the creation of a rich tradition of popular culture. For example, the Japanese traditional arts of the tea ceremony and flower arrangement, and the world-famous performing arts of Bunraku, Kabuki, and Noh originated and were cultivated in Osaka. In the field of education, the Tekijuku, a school that taught Western medical science in Dutch in the mid-19th century, contributed to the spread of modern civilization in the country. As the city has been blessed with an abundance of products from the sea and the mountains since olden times, Osaka has become popular as a gourmet's paradise. The tastes of sushi, globefish, eel, udon (noodles) and the like are extensive and presented in original cooking styles. Furthermore, one cannot fully describe Osaka, the ancient "water capital," without mentioning its many bridges and the river cruises that operate on its waterways. The city will continue to cultivate its varied culture while conserving its lovely waterside scenery for posterity. Register Today!