FEATURED NEWS

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)

2024 EBC White Paper Launching event February 29

The EBC attended the European Joint Chambers Cocktail on 12 October 2023

On 4 October, the EBC management met with a delegation of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) / Japan Follow-up Committee.

Events Calendar

UPDATES

  •   From the EBC Dear Friends of the EBC, This past week has been filled with insightful discussions and productive engagements aimed at strengthening ties between European and Japanese business. Here’s a recap of some of our recent activities. Me

    Author ImageYoko
    05 February, 2025

  •     From the EBC Dear Friends of the EBC, Here’s a recap of recent events and initiatives, as well as upcoming opportunities for the EBC community: EBC Attends EU Delegation’s Science, Innovation, Digital, and Other EU Policies Section New

    Author ImageYoko
    29 January, 2025

  •     From the EBC Dear Friends of the EBC, As we embark on a new year full of opportunities, we are pleased to share with you our recent activities. The EBC attended a conference with the EU Ambassador and his team to learn about...

    Author ImageYoko
    22 January, 2025

  •     From the EBC Dear Friends of the EBC,Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, we would like to extend our warmest wishes for a successful, fulfilling, and joyful year ahead. This year begins with a great news for the EBC and European busines

    Author ImageYoko
    15 January, 2025

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DIGITAL WHITE PAPER

Kindly sponsored by CHANEL

NEW ISSUES

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Wind farm certification

    Committee:
    Energy
    status:
    New

    Japan should implement a significant improvement on the offshore wind farm certification process. The current setup has been inducing lengthy and unpredictable process which serves as a bottleneck for earlier financial closure and subsequent COD. Below are several suggestions for improvement.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Streamline expense settlement

    Committee:
    Tax
    status:
    New

    Japan has made significant strides in digital transformation, particularly through the adoption of cashless payments and secure data systems. Cashless payments and tamperproof systems, along with sensible rules on expense processing eliminated the need for receipts in a large portion of employee expense claims. However, the introduction of the Qualified Invoice System in October 2023 has inadvertently complicated expense claim processing by newly requiring receipts for almost all transactions, even for small cashless payments. Previously, companies could rely on electronic transaction data from credit card companies for expense claims without needing receipts.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Automobile Recycling

    Committee:
    Automobile
    status:
    New

    The use of recycled plastics in automobile recycling is being considered, and if automobiles become a target product, it will be necessary to consider how to respond to the imposition of usage plans, regular reports, and the obligation to use recycled plastics, etc. In Europe, a draft ELV regulation was presented last year, and consideration is being given to making the use of recycled plastics, including those derived from automobiles, mandatory.

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URGENT ISSUES

No Issue found.

RESOLVED ISSUES

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Malt and quota management system

    Committee:
    Food & Agriculture
    status:
    Resolved

    Japan 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.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Airport infrastructure

    Committee:
    Transportation & Communications
    status:
    Resolved

    The EBC encourages the continued opening up of HND airport slots. In addition, improved “on or near airport” facilities, including for catering and cargo are needed. The new air corridor at HND will enable a reduction in fuel consumption through a more direct approach, which will have a positive impact on the environment.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Travel restrictions

    Committee:
    Cross-Committee Issues
    status:
    Resolved

    The EBC fully understands and supports the Japanese government’s efforts to try to stem the spread of Covid-19 among the residents of Japan. However, it cannot be emphasised enough that European firms, as well as Japanese and other non-Japanese firms, have been suffering for months because they have not been able to bring in essential personnel from overseas. This is true both for specialists — such as engineers, researchers, and medical personnel — and for those in top management positions.

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Eurobiz_June2022_cover_HI

Eurobiz Japan

JUNE 2022

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NEWS FEED
  • Japan to raise local content target for offshore wind farms to 70% (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan Delays Abolishment of Company Size Threshold for Mandatory Enrollment in Employee Pension Program (The Japan News)
  • Japan to Tighten Screening of Foreign Investors; Foreign Firms, Individuals to Report to Government Before Investing in Industries Deemed High Security (The Japan News)
  • Japan airports struggle to resolve relentless fuel shortage (Nikkei Asia)
  • EU vows ‘action plan’ for beleaguered auto sector (Japan Today)
  • Government Plans to Raise Eco-Friendly Car Subsidies from April; Japanese Manufacturers Using ‘Green Steel’ Able to Receive Up to ¥50,000 (The Japan News)
  • Australian carbon recycling startup lures Japanese investors (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan to require farmer action if key food supplies drop by 20% (The Mainichi)
  • Japan to overhaul troubled foreign trainee program: 3 things to know (Nikkei Asia)
  • Gov’t, Keidanren aim to double investment to ¥200 tril by FY2040 (Japan Today)
  • Japan government eyes extending stays of pregnant skilled foreign workers (Kyodo News+)
  • Japan ministry to expand support for companies to fix set intervals between work shifts (The Mainichi)
  • Japan to ease financial burden of foreign trainees with new program (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan to tighten foreign investment screening to prevent info leaks (The Mainichi)
  • Japan to introduce smaller emergency vehicles after Noto quake (Japan Today)
  • Japan Plans for Private Sector to be Involved in Next Space Station; JAXA Will Not Be Point of Contact for ISS Successor (The Japan News)
  • Japan gov’t-backed lender to fund major German telecom’s 5G expansion (The Mainichi)
  • LDP Approves Outline of ‘Active Cyber Defense’ Bills; System to Prevent Major Cyberattacks in Japan (The Japan News)
  • Cyber Defenders To Need Prior OK To Neutralize Servers; Govt Eyes Establishing Independent Organ To Give Approval (The Japan News)
  • Japan to ease financial burden of foreign trainees with new program (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan to tighten foreign investment screening to prevent info leaks (The Mainichi)
  • Japan earmarks $1bn in support for chip designers (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan seeks more space industry talent by defining roles (Nikkei Asia)
  • Ministry move to increase takeoffs and landings at Narita Airport (The Asahi Shimbun)
  • Japan Fair Trade Commission to Hire Chief Technology Specialist From Private Sector to Compete With Giant IT Firms (The Japan News)
  • Ishiba Aims to Revitalize Japan with Regional Revamp (News on Japan)
  • Small, midsize firms crucial for Japan’s wage hikes: business chief (Japan Today)
  • Plan Considered to Calculate Buildings’ Lifetime CO2 Output; Japan Government Seeking to Decarbonize Construction Sector (The Japan News)
  • Japan to Map out Defense Export Strategy within 2025 (The Japan News)
  • Japan to ease ‘startup visa’ rules to lure foreign entrepreneurs (Nikkei Asai)
  • 5% of Japan firms hire foreign workers to cover labor shortages (Kyodo News+)
  • Japan’s push for a dual-use defence startup ecosystem (News on Japan)
  • Japan to maximize nuclear power in clean-energy push as electricity demand grows (The Asahi Shimbun)
  • Japan to cut 60% of emissions by FY2035, but experts call for more (Kyodo News+)
  • Japan Government Plans to Buy Factories in Emergencies To Secure Supply of Products Vital to Economic Security (The Japan News)
  • Japan bolsters defense exports a year after easing of rules (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan Inc. seeks ‘golden’ talent in Asia to address labor shortage (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.