TOKYO, May 29, 2014 – Members of the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA) welcomed chief executives of fifteen global chemical companies to Tokyo this morning, kicking off a bi-annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), the worldwide voice of the chemical industry. The Council reported continued progress in working to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including rising global energy demand, climate change, and sound chemicals management, while at the same time improving the industry’s own performance through initiatives like Responsible Care®.