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Published:
Shelf-life and sustainability
Committee:
Food & Agriculturestatus:
NewWhile this issue is not based on any law or regulation, food products or beverages that do not have at least 2/3 left of the shelf-life when reaching the supermarkets, or any other retail outlet, are difficult to sell. This poses a particular challenge for European products, which often require longer transportation times due to distance However, the issue also affects domestic products that, despite still being safe for consumption, are often discarded as they approach the end of their shelf life—contributing unnecessarily to food waste. The EBC believes that authorities have a responsibility to promote greater sustainability within the food and beverage sector. A study conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on consumer attitudes toward sustainability could provide a useful starting point for further discussion and policy development.
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Published:
Sustainability
Committee:
Logistics & Freightstatus:
NewThe logistics sector is active globally all over the world and plays a major role to reach a carbon neutral society. While there are some progress in Japan, the EBC believes that there is still plenty of improvements that can be made. We are at the same time fully aware that many of the policies are globally decided.
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Published:
Pillar Two model rules for domestic implementation of a global minimum tax
Committee:
Taxstatus:
NewThe rules and guidance published by the OECD define the scope and set out the mechanism for the so-called Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules under Pillar Two, which will introduce a global minimum corporate tax rate set at 15%. The GloBE rules provide for a co-ordinated system of taxation intended to ensure large MNE groups pay this minimum level of tax on income arising in each of the jurisdictions in which they operate.
Public Comment on the Long-Term Decarbonisation Auction Scheme and Support Framework for Offshore Wind
Public Comments on Cabotage Rules Affecting Offshore Wind Developments
EBC Automotive Components Committee event, 18 March
Recommendations for Policy Reform to Streamline Expense Settlement in Japan
PRESS RELEASE: European Business Council Welcomes Reforms to Foreign Lawyer Registration Rules in Japan
The Sustainability Imperative: Decarbonization & Nature Restoration for a Resilient Future (September 12)
Events Calendar
UPDATES
30 April, 2025EBC Newsletter – April 23, 2025
From the EBC Dear Friends of the EBC, This week was marked by meaningful engagement between European and Japanese stakeholders, as well as opportunities for EU businesses looking to expand their presence in Japan. Here’s what you
23 April, 2025
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- 20 September, 2023
- 19 May, 2023
DIGITAL WHITE PAPER
Kindly sponsored by CHANEL
NEW ISSUES
URGENT ISSUES
RESOLVED ISSUES
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Published:
Malt and quota management system
Committee:
Food & Agriculturestatus:
ResolvedJapan had a tariff quota system for malt even from before the EPA, which introduced a quota for EU origin malt. However, only companies manufacturing beer themselves or importing exclusively for the use of a particular brewery were allowed to apply for a quota, discriminating against traders wishing to import on their own account for selling to multiple customers in small volumes or on short notice. Following multi-year efforts by the EBC and the EU, this was remedied in late 2021, opening the door to importers to provide for a large variety of EU-origin malts even in smaller quantities for the flourishing craft beer market, and for non-brewery users. However, an administrative burden remains, which is unreasonable considering the quota is not fully utilized and all eligible quota applications are being granted.
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Published:
Geographical indications
Committee:
Liquorstatus:
ResolvedThe mutual protection of GIs agreed upon through the EU-Japan EPA will ensure protection of geographical indications for 139 liquor products from the EU.
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Published:
Tariff on wine
Committee:
Liquorstatus:
ResolvedTariffs on wine was abolished at the entry into force of the EU-Japan EPA. Japan-US Trade Agreement took into force on 1st January 2020 and tariff of wine will be completely removed in 2025.
NEWS FEED
- Japan, EU reaffirm collaboration in maintaining global free trade (The Mainichi)
- Japan considers joining EU’s $100bn science research initiative (Nikkei Asia)
- BOJ to launch its own survey on wage hikes (Japan Today)
- Japan to begin surveying for natural hydrogen deposits (Nikkei Asia)
- 40% of Japan prefectures offer financial aid over U.S. tariffs: poll (Japan Today)
- Mizuho Bank, Kubota Form Tie-Up for Greenhouse Gas Trading; Aims to Reduce Emissions (The Japan News)
- Japan’s greenhouse gas emissions fall 4% in FY23/24 to record low (The Asahi Shimbun)
- Japan Accelerates Financial Assistance for Businesses; Working to Handle Growing Concerns Over Tariffs (The Japan News)
- Japanese ESTA Advances to FY ’28 Implementation; Target Moves 2 Years Ahead of Previous Plan (The Japan News)
- Japan gov’t mulls tougher penalties for illicit bank account trade, new telecom data rules (The Mainichi)
- Japan to Assist in Achieving International Standardization for Specialist Areas; Solar, Sectors Include Solar, Hydrogen Technologies (The Japan News)
- Narita airport expansion gears up for ‘second opening’ in 2029 (Nikkei Asia)
- Japan seeks efficient use of official development aid with law change (Kyodo News+)
- Japanese Govt, Firms Plan to Develop Next-Generation Geothermal System; Public-Private Sector Council Launched (The Japan News)
- Hokkaido Gas Enters Wind Power with Hybrid Plant (News on Japan)
- Nara to Start CO2 Reduction Effort Targeting Household Emissions (News on Japan)
- Japan eyes world first producing hydrogen using heat from reactor (The Asahi Shimbun)
- Study: Women advance but men still in charge of city planning (The Asahi Shimbun)
- Gas-fired power plant capacity to jump 20% in 2030, led by Asia (Nikkei Asia)
- Incoming Japan business lobby chief surprises with priorities (Nikkei Asia)
- Japan firm seeks to ease hiring process for foreign truck drivers (Nikkei Asia)
- Spirits makers eye law to protect “Japanese whisky” brand (Kyodo News+)
- Japan probes foreigners’ medical insurance use amid misuse concerns (Kyodo News+)
- Govt Survey Finds Contingency Shelter Equipment, Food Stocks in Japan Inadequate; Plans for Improvements by March 2026 (The Japan News)
- Japanese banks block withdrawals from expired foreign resident accounts (Japan Today)
- Japan Shipping Industry Increases Use of LNG Due to Difficulties Developing Next-Generation Fuel, Lower CO2 Emission Than Heavy Oil (The Japan News)
- METI to Support Firms Impacted by U.S. Tariff Policy; Safety Net for Enterprises to Be Expanded (The Japan News)
- Japan to make vehicle gas pedal safety devices mandatory in 2028 (Kyodo News+)
- Japan’s new food supply emergency measures law takes effect (Japan Today)
- Japan Auto Industry Increasingly Wary of U.S. Tariffs; Effects Will Extend to Large, Small Parts Manufacturers (The Japan New)
- Japan enforces food supply emergency law amid soaring costs (Kyodo News+)
- Japan to Tighten Screening of Foreign Investments (News on Japan)
- Japan Govt Eyes Record of Over ¥20 Trillion for National Resilience Plan to Strengthen Vital Infrastructure Such as Water, Sewage SystemsThe Yomiuri Shimbun (The Japan News)
- Japan forecast to drop to 45th place by key wealth measure in 2075 (Nikkei Asia)
- Cruise ships welcome: Japan to help upgrade ports (Nikkei Asia)
- Japan back-end chip companies form alliance to upgrade supply chain (Nikkei Asia)
- 3 Japan airports to use unified gates for immigration, customs checks (The Mainichi)
- Europe’s retreat on environmental reporting eases burden on Japan firms (Nikkei Asia)
Join & Support
EBC members can not only learn about important changes taking place in Japan, but also play a critical role in influencing change themselves.
Some 300 of the over 2,500 affiliated local European companies and individuals participate directly in one or more of the EBC’s 22 industry committees covering a wide variety of economic sectors.