EBC Newsletter – March 17, 2021

EBC Newsletter – March 17, 2021

From the EBC

Dear Friends of the EBC,

The COVID-19 vaccination began last month in Japan and a few days ago, Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo Co. started manufacturing the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Last week was therefore a timely context for the EBC to hold its Briefing on COVID-19 Vaccines and Tests with Mr. Woxtröm, President of AstraZeneca Japan and Mr. Eda, Head – Portfolio and Life Cycle Management at Roche Diagnostics. I would like to warmly thank our two speakers for sharing their valuable experience with us. I invite you to read the summary of this event and Mr. Eda’s presentation, as well as a EuroBiz article about our Medical Equipment committee. If you wish to join it, please contact the EBC !

Finally, let me draw your attention to a JETRO Seminar on the 2021 Tax Reform, organised this afternoon. As the 2021 tax reform plan includes a wide range of revisions, such as an exemption from inheritance tax for certain foreign nationals staying in Japan for a long period of time and a major revision of the requirement to affix a seal to tax-related documents, this webinar will provide you important information!

Enjoy your reading,

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

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

EBC Briefing on Vaccines and Tests

On 9 March 2021, the EBC held its first briefing of the year, this time on the COVID-19 virus. The focus of the presentations were the vaccine and the detection, including also a brief overview of the treatment of the actual illness.

Summary of the EBC Briefing
Mr. Eda’s PPT

The EBC Medical Equipment Committee

The EBC Medical Equipment Committee’s issues fall into two categories: reimbursement and regulations.

The members generally meet once a month and remind regulators of the valuable role their products play in Japan – not just in dealing with the current pandemic, but also with Japan’s rapidly ageing population.

This EuroBiz article will tell you more about the Committee’s work.

JETRO Webinar on the 2021 Tax Reform

The Cabinet approved the tax reform plan for 2021 last December, and JETRO will be holding an online seminar to explain some of the key points of the plan, especially for foreign affiliated companies.

In addition to the establishment of a new tax system to promote “digitalization” and “greening,” the tax reform plan includes a wide range of revisions, such as an exemption from inheritance tax for certain foreign nationals who stay in Japan for a long period of time and a major revision of the requirement to affix a seal to tax-related documents.

The seminar will be provided in Japanese and English separately, but the content will be the same.

  • Date & Time: March 17, Wednesday 4PM-5PM(JST)/ 7AM-8AM(GMT)
    ※Seminar in Japanese will be held at 2PM-3PM (JST) on the same day as explained in the Japanese text above.
  • Agenda
    -Outline of changes in corporate taxation, individual taxation, asset taxation and tax administration.
    -Q&A session
  • Language: English
  • Fee: Free of charge
  • Speaker: Ms. Naoko Sato (Tax Accountant)
  • Venue: Online (using Zoom system)
  • Register from here: https://www.jetro.go.jp/form5/pub/jad/tax_reform_sem_en

For inquiries, please contact:
Invest Japan Business Support Center (Ms. Tsuyuki, Ms. Tamura)
TEL:03-3582-8347
FAX:03-3584-6024
E-MAIL:[email protected]

What’s in the Media

  • Japan considers COVID-19 vaccination certificates for those traveling overseas (Japan Today)
  • 70% of Japanese firms rethink overseas business strategy amid virus (Kyodo News+)
  • Challenges in boosting Japan’s agricultural exports (News on Japan)
  • Japan wants food import curbs imposed after Fukushima crisis lifted (Japan Today)
  • Cabinet approves bill to reduce plastic waste, encourage recycling (Japan Today)

Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings

Date Committee Time / Location
Mar 18 (Thursday) Insurance Web
07:30~
Mar 18 (Thursday) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Committee Off-site
14:30~
Mar 19 (Friday) Automotive Components & Aftermarket EBC & Web
16:00~
Mar 25 (Thursday) Human Resources Web
09:00~
Mar 25 (Thursday) Telecommunications Equipment EBC and Web
10:00~
Mar 26 (Friday) Railways EBC & Web
16:00~

If you are interested in joining a committee meeting, please contact the EBC to confirm the time and meeting place.

EBC White Paper

The EBC published its annual document on the Japanese regulatory business environment last July.

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.

EBC Sponsorships Scheme

You can 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).

We can also adapt your sponsorship / membership to your budget.

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!

Stakeholders of the EBC:

European Business Council JAPAN
Sanbancho POULA Bldg. 2F, 6-7 Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075
102-0075東京都千代田区三番町6-7三番町POULAビル2F
TEL 03-3263-6222 | FAX 03-3263-6223
www.ebc-jp.com/