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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:

    Customs broker record retention

    Committee:
    Logistics & Freight
    status:
    New

    The retention periods applicable to importers and customs brokers are not fully aligned. The presentation to the Customs and Tariff Bureau identified that importer obligations may extend beyond the period for which customs brokers are required to retain brokerage books and prescribed documents. This can leave importers without access to supporting declaration records needed for audits, origin reviews, valuation analyses and voluntary corrections.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Evaluation of SaMD that delivers Ttmely care to patients

    Committee:
    Medical Equipment
    status:
    New

    Premium-based evaluation of SaMD that contributes to reducing the working hours of healthcare professionals was not adopted in the FY2026 revision. A mechanism remains necessary to evaluate the patient benefit where reduced working time leads to shorter waiting times for tests and treatment or to the provision of necessary care.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Visualization and value assessment of the patient Journey based on RWD

    Committee:
    Medical Equipment
    status:
    New

    To evaluate the quality of care for patients with multiple conditions and the value of medical devices, it is necessary to capture the entire course of care across clinical departments and facilities. Challenges include data linkage, identification of the devices used, and the cost and time required for analysis.

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URGENT ISSUES

No Issue found.

RESOLVED ISSUES

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Beer tax

    Committee:
    Liquor
    status:
    Resolved

    Japan has historically had three different tax rates for beer-type beverages, depending on their malt content, with lower-malt products subject to lower tax rates. This created a strong incentive for the development of beers with significantly lower malt content than is typically found in beer in other markets. Following a six-year harmonisation process, from October 2026 all beer-type beverages will be subject to the same tax rate. In practice, the previously lower tax rates have been increased, while the highest tax rate, applicable to conventional beer, has been reduced. The EBC very much applauds Japan for taking these steps toward a more level and neutral tax system. The harmonisation will help ensure that the tax system does not disadvantage beers based on their malt content, including high-quality and higher-end beers, and will allow consumers to choose between different products without tax differences distorting the market.

  • 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.

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Eurobiz_June2022_cover_HI

Eurobiz Japan

JUNE 2022

VIEW ARCHIVE

NEWS FEED
  • Japan relays strong concern to France over EU plan to favor Europe-made EVs (Kyodo News)
  • Japan eyes stronger war sustainability in defense strategy update (Japan Today)
  • Japan mulls exception to non-nuclear principles in security strategy (The Mainichi)
  • Japan Govt to Establish Cyberattack Response Team Involving Public, Private Sectors (The Japan News)
  • Japanese Companies Increasing Efforts to Develop Battery Energy Storage Business amid Ongoing Mideast Situation (The Japan News)
  • New Institute to Use AI to Analyze Global Research Data; Aims to Identify Trends in Vital Areas of Science, Technology (The Japan News)
  • 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)

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.