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FEATURED NEWS

EBC Survey on the Business Impact of Japan’s Evolving Policies Affecting Foreign Nationals

Europe vs North America Golf 2026

Statement by the European Business Council in Japan and Japan Business Council in Europe on the EU-Japan Digital Partnership – 4 May 2026

Tax Roundtable – 17 April 2026

Cybersecurity Conference – EBC Digital Committee, 7 April 2026

EBC Event: The Future of the Automotive Industry – 3 April, 2026

Events Calendar

UPDATES

DIGITAL WHITE PAPER

NEW ISSUES

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Harmonisation of fixed microwave regulation

    Committee:
    Telecommunications Equipment
    status:
    New

    The MIC working group for 6/7 GHz microwave equipment concluded that the regulation for antennas would be relaxed and fulfil the ETSI standard EN 302 217-4 for Class 3 and 4 antennas in Japan. This is very important for the users of microwave in 6/7 GHz bands. However, the regulation for interference is very complexed and the requirement for IRF (Interference Reduction Factor) will not be relaxed and a consequence of this there are no microwave short haul products based on ETSI standard available for Japan.EBC notes that MIC is revising EMF evaluation methodologies of mobile radio base stations according to the international standards.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Aftersales

    Committee:
    Automobile
    status:
    New

    Amid labour shortages and the advance of DX, we will consider labour-saving and efficiency measures. In addition, as today’s vehicles are equipped with OTA and advanced self-diagnostic functions, we believe there is room to improve the efficiency and rationality of the periodic inspection, maintenance and vehicle inspection (shaken) systems in light of the latest technologies. Furthermore, in the social implementation project utilizing the My Number Card promoted by the Automobile Business & Culture Association of Japan, the “simplification of vehicle registration” is being considered as an effective initiative for improving the operational efficiency of dealerships. The Government (MLIT) has also included approximately JPY 12 billion in its budget request for the next fiscal year for DX of the vehicle registration and inspection system (“going paperless”, “going cashless” and “improving the convenience of the OSS”) towards the renewal of the next-generation MOTAS (Motor Vehicle Registration and Inspection Electronic Information Processing System).

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Cybersecurity

    Committee:
    Railways
    status:
    New

    In Both the EU and Japan are strengthening cybersecurity in the railway sector as rail systems become increasingly digital and connected. In the EU, ERA and ENISA are working together on railway cybersecurity, including the implementation of NIS2 and cybersecurity requirements for railway systems.In Japan, cybersecurity is also recognised as part of railway safety and information-security policy, with MLIT responsible for railway-sector measures. Greater EU-Japan cooperation and information exchange could help promote common approaches and standards for railway cybersecurity.

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URGENT ISSUES

No Issue found.

RESOLVED ISSUES

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Temporary in-activation of gaiben licence

    Committee:
    Legal Services
    status:
    Resolved

    With the increased use of secondments within the legal services field, it is not uncommon that registered gaiben temporarily leave Japan and then come back to again practise foreign law in Japan. For a domestic lawyer it is possible to either (1) continue paying their bar membership fees while remaining on the bar rolls with their original registration number or (2) stop paying fees whilst temporarily suspending their license only to re-activate it when returning to Japan through a simple application process. This is not possible for a gaiben. The only thing possible for a gaiben is to re-apply from scratch. The EBC sees no reason for this blatant discrimination of foreign lawyers.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Branches

    Committee:
    Legal Services
    status:
    Resolved

    Legislation was finally passed in 2014, permitting a gaiben law firm to incorporate  as a hojin, and thereby become eligible to open more than one branch. However, the 2014 legislation did not permit gaiben and bengoshi together to establish a hojin. The effect is to severely limit the usefulness of the 2014 legislation. We understand that the changes in the Act to permit gaiben and bengoshi to establish a hojin together have been enacted and we await confirmation that the changes have been implemented by no later than September 2020.

  • 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.

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Eurobiz_June2022_cover_HI

Eurobiz Japan

JUNE 2022

VIEW ARCHIVE

NEWS FEED
  • EU’s new levy on parcels kicks in (Japan Today)
  • Narita airport to consolidate its 3 terminals into 1 for easier movement (Kyodo News)
  • Japan’s Finance Industry Step Up Efforts to Secure IT Talent Through Student Internships Amid Shortage of Personnel (The Japan News)
  • Law to establish “second capital” to back up Tokyo goes into effect (Kyodo News)
  • Takaichi, Merz Confirm Aim of Strengthening Economic Security Cooperation (The Japan News)
  • Japan seeks creation of arms corporation to bolster defense (The Asahi Shimbun)
  • Japan to compile emergency cybersecurity package by next week: Takaichi (The Mainichi)
  • Japanese Government Rushes to Establish Bilateral Consultations with Like-Minded Nations for Times of Crisis (The Japan News)
  • Industries with Dual-Use Technology to Get Government Help; Japan Aims to Boost Economy, Prepare for Contingencies (The Japan News)
  • Japan weighs registry to strengthen monitoring of foreign interference (Kyodo News)
  • World’s 1st hydrogen engine for large ships cuts CO2 emissions by 95% (Kyodo News)
  • Hiring of Foreign Drivers in Japan Spreading in Logistics Industry, Aim to Cope with Worker Shortage (The Japan News)
  • Japan to overhaul tax-free shopping for foreign visitors to curb resale (The Mainichi)
  • EU Incentive Scheme Unlikely to Cover Japanese-Made EVs after Franco-German Agreement (The Japan News)
  • Japan Govt Panel to Discuss Strengthening Cyber Defense of Telecom Carriers (The Japan News)
  • Japan Govt Publishes English-Language Booklet on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Economic Policies (The Japan News)
  • Efforts to Bolster Japan’s Production of Next-Generation Solar Cells Are Powering Up (The Japan News)
  • Japan business manager visa holders leaving without reentry permits surge (Kyodo News)
  • Japan mulls including railways in defense-related expenditure: sources (Kyodo News)
  • Japan Seeks to Ensure Stable Supply of Critical Medical Devices (The Japan News)
  • Defense Ministry to Study Development of Small Rocket That Will Quickly Launch Replacement for Damaged Satellites (The Japan News)
  • Japan’s Government Considers Introduction of Nuclear-Powered Submarines in SDF (The Japan News)
  • IEA to accelerate oil reserve release, says 100 million barrels still to come (Japan Today)
  • Japan remains 12th in global innovation ranking, trails South Korea, China (Kyodo News)
  • Japan Eyes Autonomous Transport Ships for SDF (The Japan News)
  • Japan to set up greenhouse gas data hub to help curb global warming (The Mainichi)
  • Japan toughens guidelines for granting permanent residency (The Mainichi)
  • Japan to Devise Action Plan for High-Performance AI by Year-End (The Japan News)
  • Legislation Related to Active Cyber Defense Takes Effect, Police and SDF Allowed to Neutralize Servers behind Cyberattacks (The Japan News)

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 200 of the over 2,500 affiliated local European companies and individuals participate directly in one or more of the EBC’s 24 industry committees covering a wide variety of economic sectors.