EBC Newsletter – November 2, 2022

EBC Newsletter – November 2, 2022

 

 

From the EBC

Dear Friends of the EBC,

Since 11 October, Japan is opened again to tourists. If you arrive from the EU and if you have a valid vaccination certificate, you don’t need a PCR test. From 1st November, a new App, Visit japan Web, is available “for both international travelers and Japanese citizens and can be used for Quarantine, Immigration, and Customs declaration procedures”. It facilitates immigration procedures.

On 25 October, the European Union and Japan held their second High-level Economic Dialogue. Among the many issues discussed, the launch of negotiations on including rules on data flows in the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (24 October) was welcomed by the Ministers.

As you know, one of the main activities of the EBC is to monitor the Japanese business environment. We produce a White Paper which compiles all the issues faced by European industry and the recommendations addressed to the Japanese Government to improve the situation. On 24 November, the EBC would like to invite you to its next EBC Briefing to launch the 2022 White Paper. It will be opened by the EBC President, Michael Mroczek. Furthermore, six representatives of committees will in detail present and explain the issues and recommendations that cover their respective sector.

Today, we would like to share with you two events organised by our stakeholders and partner organisations:

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

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer
 

What’s in the Media

  • Japan’s Defense Ministry is planning to boost its cyber defense personnel more than fivefold to up to 5,000 by fiscal 2027 in response to increasing efforts by China and other countries to bolster their cyber warfare capabilities, a source familiar with the matter said.
    The ministry looks to expand its “core staff” for dealing with cyberattacks, including those of the Self-Defense Forces’ newly launched cyber defense unit, to around 890 in fiscal 2022 and further to 4,000 to 5,000 by fiscal 2027, the source said. (Japan Today)

  • Japan on Friday unveiled an economic package worth about $200 billion to cushion the highest inflation seen in decades, as households and some businesses feel the impact of a weak yen.
    Announcing the plan, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters that his government “will protect people’s livelihoods from high prices through effective and drastic easing measures,” emphasizing the need to target energy prices, which he said are “the main cause of the price surge.” (News on Japan)

  • The government on Oct. 26 convened a meeting on decarbonization and other measures to promote Japan’s green transformation, or GX, launching discussions on the introduction of tentatively named “GX economic transition bonds” while eyeing the full-fledged introduction of emissions trading in fiscal 2026.
    The government plans to tap a carbon pricing system to fund Japan’s transition to a greener society. It is expected to present a course of action by the end of the year on specific pricing measures, such as a carbon tax on companies according to their CO2 emissions, and an emissions trading system. (The Mainichi)

Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings

Date Committee Time / Location
Nov 17 (Thu) Human Resources Web
0930~
Nov 17 (Thu) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Committee Off-site
1430~
Nov 18 (Fri) Railways EBC & Web
1600~
Nov 18 (Fri) Automotive Components & Aftermarket EBC & Web
1600~
Nov 24 (Thu) Legal Services Web
09:00~
Dec 2 (Fri) Liquor Web
0830~
Dec 7 (Wed) Energy EBC & Web
1330~
Dec 8 (Thu) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Committee Off-site
1430-~
Dec 9 (Fri) Railways EBC & Web
1600~
Dec 12 (Mon) Materials EBC & Web
1730~
Dec 15 (Thu) Human Resources Web
0930~
Dec 15 (Thu) Telecommunications Equipment EBC & Web
1000~

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

EBC Sponsor:

 

Stakeholders of the EBC:

European Business Council JAPAN
Toranomon Hills Business Tower 15F, 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-6415
105-6415 東京都港区虎ノ門1-17-1 虎ノ門ヒルズビジネスタワー15階
www.ebc-jp.com/