EBC Newsletter – January 27, 2021

While the country is still suffering from the third wave of COVID-19, the Japanese Government, mainly through the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labour, is starting to release information on how the vaccination will
be carried out. The EBC is pleased to share with you a summary of the Japanese plan.

The current crisis has drawn our attention to the importance of tackling climate change. But a lot remains to be done to prevent the planet’s temperature from rising too much. One first necessary step is attaining carbon neutrality in developed countries by 2050. In this regard, the Japan-Europe collaboration on climate action is quite dynamic, as shown in this EuroBiz article.

On January 21^st, the EBC participated in the European Business Organisation World Wide Network Webinar on “The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership – A new trade agreement that will shape global economics”. If you are interested in this topic, you can watch it now on this link.

In January, we had the great pleasure to welcome the following new members at the EBC: ABB, FoodPanda and Prettl Japan. Thank you to our new and old members for their continued trust, we are looking forward to co-operating with you in 2021!

Finally, we would like to inform you about a webinar co-organized by JCAA and WIPO, focusing on effective use of arbitration and mediation for international IP disputes.

Enjoy your reading!

We hope you stay positive and healthy during this difficult time.

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

While there is not yet a complete timeline for when each group will be scheduled for vaccination, it is indicated that the first group will start vaccination at the end of February.

Another thing to note is that the second group – individuals of 65 years and above – will receive a vaccination ticket through the post.

For more information, please have a look at the below links. Keep in mind that only the Japanese information is the official, while the English documents are machine translated.
Also note that the information is subject to change.

• Preparatory status of national and local governments for new Coronavirus vaccination (link to website / English translation)
• Notice for new coronavirus vaccination (link to website / English translation)
• Proposal for consideration of the new Coronavirus preferential vaccination (link to website / English translation)

But a lot remains to be done to prevent the planet’s temperature from rising too much. One first necessary step is attaining carbon neutrality in developed countries by 2050. In this EuroBiz article, Stéfan Le Dû, in charge of climate cooperation at the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, is reporting on Japan and Europe collaborations on climate action.

Companies that are located in the RCEP-region can leverage this FTA and benefit from the preferential market access provided.

In this webinar, our experts on the ground evaluated the key achievements and limitations of the RCEP. They also discussed the impact the trade deal will likely have on supply chains and trade volumes across Asia.

Against this backdrop, JCAA and the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center are pleased to present a webinar to discuss international IP dispute resolution strategies and the shift of international mediation and arbitration to online platforms to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest change is a simplification of our Sponsorships scheme.

Until now, when you chose to support the EBC, you were able to sponsor an event or our annual White Paper.

From 2021, you will have the opportunity to select among 6 categories of sponsorships. Depending on the category, the Sponsor will get:

• Free Membership to the EBC and participation to all EBC sectoral committees;
• His logo on the EBC website (homepage and/or dedicated sponsors’ web page);
• His logo/name in the EBC White Paper;
• His company banner/information material/keynote speaker at the EBC Briefings;
• His company name listed in EuroBiz Japan (EBC monthly magazine).

If you are interested in supporting the EBC, please have a look at the new Sponsorships Scheme and contact us at: [email protected] for further details!

This year’s White Paper is called “Strengthening partnerships – in crisis and opportunity alike” . The opportunity is of course referring to the EU-Japan EPA that entered into force on February 1, 2019. Unfortunately, at the same time the COVID -19 crisis struck the world.

We are, however, confident that with our recommendations, the European and Japanese economies and companies will continue to prosper.