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Dear Friends of the EBC,
On Wednesday 14 February, the EBC was honoured to host the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO). We exchanged views with Kazuya Nakajo, Executive Vice President, Takashi Nakagawa, Director General, Innovation Department and Matt Stephens, Director of Invest Japan Business Support.
Matt Stephens, Kazuya Nakajo, Laurent Depus, Takashi Nakagawa
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On Monday 19 February, JETRO hosted a networking event for foreign companies in Japan, mainly those that have set up offices with JETRO’s support, related organisations such as foreign diplomatic missions and agencies in Japan, and stakeholders in the Japanese innovation ecosystem. Our President Laurent Depus had the pleasure of delivering the Kampai speech after JETRO Chairman and CEO Norihiko Ishiguro, State Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry / State Minister of Cabinet Office Ryosuke Kozuki and Parliamentary Vice Minister of Cabinet Office / Parliamentary Vice Minister for Financial Services and Member of the House of Representatives Junichi Kanda. Laurent underlined the importance of JETRO-EBC cooperation over the past 30 years and the potential of EU-Japan cooperation for our companies in the fields of sustainable development, green technologies, decarbonised energy, IT and innovation.
Laurent Depus, Norihiko Ishiguro, Ryosuke Kozuki, Junichi Kanda
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On 20 February, the EBC Sustainability Committee hosted a very interesting event with Masaya Ishida from the Renewable Energy Institute. Mr Ishida provided an insight into the intricacies of renewable electricity procurement, looking at both the processes involved and the latest developments in the field. He highlighted the challenges posed by Japan’s grid situation, a potential bottleneck for the expansion of renewable energy. Mr Ishida proposed a solution: the installation of a new undersea HVDC cable connecting Hokkaido to Tokyo and Honshu to Kyushu.
The Renewable Energy Institute has published a comprehensive guide to renewable electricity procurement that provides valuable insight into the issue.
Further details can be found in this document at: https://www.renewable-ei.org/en/activities/reports/20240122.php
The European Business Council in Japan (through its Sustainability Committee) and the Japan Business Council in Europe (JBCE) issued a joint statement on 16 February underlining their commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices. They advocate a collaborative approach involving business, policy makers and stakeholders to create an enabling environment for sustainable supply chains.
The need for international standards and cooperation between Japan and the EU is highlighted, as well as the role of public authorities in supporting businesses in complex regulatory environments, with a call for enhanced policy dialogue and continued cooperation under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. |
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On Tuesday 20 February, the Delegation of the EU to Japan held a reception to mark the handover of the European Business Council presidency and the EBC engagement in Japan.
After speeches by EU Ambassador Jean-Eric Paquet and Kerstin Jorna, Director General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs at the European Commission and currently in Japan, former President Michael Mroczek and new President Laurent Depus gave a brief overview of recent developments at the EBC to better serve the needs of European companies in the Japanese market. The networking that followed brought together European ambassadors and diplomats, presidents of chambers of commerce and EBC committee chairs for promising discussions. Many thanks to the European Embassy and its team for their continued support! |
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| Laurent Depus, Ambassador Jean-Eric Paquet, Director General Kerstin Jorna |
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| Past and Present EBC: Bjorn Kongstad / Chief Policy Director , Laurent Depus / President, Valerie Moschetti / Chief Operating Officer, EU Ambassador Jean-Eric Paquet, Michael Mroczek / former President and Francesco Formiconi / former Chief Operating Officer |
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Don’t forget about our upcoming event to launch the 2024 EBC White Paper on 29 February at 16:00. The White Paper, the cornerstone product of the EBC, is a meticulous compilation of the challenges faced by its members. It is regularly updated and available on the EBC website, ensuring that stakeholders are kept abreast of the latest developments.
The event promises valuable insights from five distinguished industry representatives. This is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand from experts not only about the challenges facing European industry in Japan, but also about the recommendations proposed to address these issues. The White Paper serves as a powerful advocacy tool to influence improvements in the Japanese regulatory framework.
To register, please email: [email protected] |
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| The EBC team is looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer |
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- At the first meeting of an expert panel on Monday, some participants raised the need to link the strengthening of Japan’s defense to economic growth through aggressive investment in science and technology. “It’s necessary to strengthen coordinated technological development between the public and private sectors that could affect demand in the private sector and help achieve economic growth,” panel chair Sadayuki Sakakibara, former chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) said at the meeting. (The Japan News)
- The European Union decided Monday to negotiate with Japan on concluding a security and defense partnership agreement, with the bloc seeking to elevate bilateral ties to a higher level, an EU document showed amid China’s maritime assertiveness. The two sides will explore increasing cooperation across wide areas including maritime security, intelligence sharing and coping with hybrid attacks, a new form of warfare that combines military and non-military tactics such as distributing fake information to achieve strategic objectives. (Japan Today)
- The University of Tokyo plans to launch a new five-year combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degree program in fall 2027, with half of the roughly 100-student capacity to comprise foreign students, a university source said Monday. The interdisciplinary college of design program, a combination of a four-year Bachelor’s degree and one-year Master’s, aims to nurture talent to lead efforts to resolve global issues such as climate change, the source said. (Japan Today)
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Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings |
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| Date |
Committee |
Time / Location |
| Feb 22 (Thu) |
Human Resources |
Hybrid
0930~ |
| Feb 29 (Thu) |
Logistics & Freight |
Hybrid
0930~ |
| Mar 1 (Fri) |
Liquor |
Hybrid
0830~ |
| Mar 1 (Fri) |
Railways |
Hybrid
1600~ |
| Mar 11 (Mon) |
Materials |
Hybrid
1730~ |
| Mar 19 (Tue) |
Food & Agriculture |
Hybrid
1700~ |
| Mar 21 (Thu) |
Medical Equipment & Diagnostics |
Off-site
1430~ |
| Mar 28 (Thu) |
Insurance |
Hybrid
0730~ |
| Mar 28 (Thu) |
Human Resources |
Hybrid
0930~ |
| Mar 28 (Thu) |
Telecommunications Equipment |
On-line
1000~ |
If you are interested in joining a committee meeting, please contact the EBC to confirm the time and meeting place. |
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