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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:

    Modernisation of the public comment system

    Committee:
    Government Relations
    status:
    New

    Japan's current public comment system was established under the Administrative Procedure Act in 2005 to improve transparency and allow interested parties to contribute their views and expertise before regulations are finalised. While the system remains an important part of transparent policymaking, the environment in which it operates has changed significantly. Online submissions, social media campaigns and increasingly AI-generated content can result in large volumes of identical or substantially similar comments, making it more difficult for authorities to identify and assess substantive input.The EBC believes that the public comment system should be modernised to preserve meaningful participation while placing greater emphasis on the quality, relevance and evidence supporting submissions rather than their volume. Public consultation should support a genuine exchange of information: affected stakeholders can explain how proposals are likely to operate in practice, provide technical evidence and share relevant international experience. International businesses can add particular value by identifying global approaches that may be useful and explaining how they could be adapted to Japan’s regulatory, business and social context.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Lobbying disclosure

    Committee:
    Government Relations
    status:
    New

    The Japanese Government is considering new legislation to increase transparency around lobbying activities. The EBC supports appropriate registration and disclosure requirements that enhance transparency and confidence in the policymaking process. At the same time, constructive dialogue between businesses, the Government and elected officials is an important source of evidence and expertise for policymakers. International companies can contribute operational knowledge from Japan together with experience from other markets, helping government assess policy choices, understand practical impacts and adapt relevant international approaches to Japanese conditions. This can improve policy quality, competitiveness and outcomes for Japan, its economy and society.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Foreign agent registration

    Committee:
    Government Relations
    status:
    New

    The Japanese Government is considering legislation requiring the registration and disclosure of persons or entities acting on behalf of foreign interests, as part of broader efforts to strengthen counterintelligence and prevent foreign political interference. The EBC supports greater transparency regarding influence activities conducted on behalf of foreign governments. New rules should, however, distinguish state-directed influence from constructive, transparent dialogue by businesses on matters relevant to their operations in Japan. International companies can contribute global expertise and local operating knowledge that help policymakers compare approaches, anticipate practical impacts and adapt relevant international experience to Japan’s circumstances.

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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

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NEWS FEED
  • 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)
  • 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)

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.