Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hagiuda Koichi is coming to Canada and François-Philippe Champagne is planning to return to South Korea towards the end of the year, the Canadian innovation minister said at a press conference late Thursday, when he was asked about plans to attract auto assembly plants to Canada. (The Logic)

Talking point: Champagne, who met with Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Hitachi and Tesla battery supplier Panasonic this week, signalled that the Asian trade talks were serious, as auto- and battery-makers dole out contracts that will define the future of electric-vehicle supply chain. He said his discussion with Panasonic focused on “how [Canada] could be a good home” for it to build batteries for the North American market. “We met for almost half a day, if not more… you don’t typically meet partners for more than an hour,” he told reporters. Koichi’s visit will also continue talks on strengthening Japan’s relationship with Canada’s quantum computing, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity industries, Champagne said.