Building bridges for Japanese investors

• The Nippon Donation Foundation pledges support in times of crisis

As a self-taught entrepreneur, Yuma Muranushi learned the intricacies of investing at the age of 19 while studying at Osaka University in Japan. At age 24, he established a private fund and started a business in the financial sector, managing domestic and foreign funds and repeating business buyouts. He then went on to successfully found The Nippon Donation Foundation, which has now expanded to over 30 countries around the world and continues its efforts to uplift many sectors in developing nations such as health, education, and entrepreneurship.

During a media briefing last week, The Nippon Donation Foundation pledged to continue with its donation programmes and initiatives in the aforementioned sectors. It was also announced that they will work on building a bridge for Japanese investors to invest in lucrative projects in Sri Lanka without much hassle.

Sri Lanka has historically shared a trade deficit with Japan, highlighting Sri Lanka’s potential to widen its export base with Japan. For Sri Lanka, Japan was an ideal market for its products, a source of foreign direct investment (FDI) and technology and a source of official development assistance (ODA). As a result, Japan became an important trading partner of Sri Lanka.

Muranushi, when addressing the gathering, expressed his pleasure to be in a country like ours. “Sri Lanka is the new land of opportunity. With so many untapped resources and skills, I wanted to do my part in helping build this country up,” he stated, adding that the Nippon Donation Foundation will do everything in its power to help the country and everyone that is currently struggling due to the economic crisis and political instability.

Muranushi also explained that previously, Japanese investors who are highly risk averse may have been hesitant to invest in Sri Lanka when the civil war disrupted its security and stability, adding that some are still unaware that the war is over. He stated that he has made it his mission to clarify such facts with Japanese investors and direct them towards Sri Lanka so both countries can mutually benefit and learn from each other.

He also brought attention to the fact that he had previously donated Rs. 10 million worth of medicine to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, and during his extended stay here, he said he hopes to donate more as he understands that the country is facing a medicine shortage that will soon lead to many lives lost in vain if not resolved.

The Nippon Donation Foundation is making donations to many developing countries in the world to uplift the standards of many sectors such as healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship. Hence, as a well-known business figure in Japan, Dr. Ruwan Perera was requested to co-ordinate with the foundation to help Sri Lanka during its economic crisis. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Perera stated that he will facilitate exporters in Sri Lanka to enter the Japanese market, and has made arrangements to bring a Japanese investment delegation to Sri Lanka soon.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Roshan Mahanama, who has been actively involved in community service, was also present at the event. Mahanama was pledged several bags of dry rations by Muranushi to distribute amongst those that have been hit the hardest during these troubled times, through Mahanama’s charity organisation. Muranushi then extended his gratitude to Mahanama’s commendable generosity, adding that this partnership had been made so much smoother with his help.

Muranushi expressed interest in assessing the situation in Sri Lanka during his stay here, so that he can work on seeking viable means and methods for him to diversify his commercial and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities widely in Sri Lanka through donations and FDIs on a long-term basis.