EBC Newsletter – May 22, 2024

May 22, 2024 EBC Newsletter – May 22, 2024

News, Newsletter

 

From the EBC

Dear Friends of the EBC,

On 14 May, Monica Nagashima, from InfluenceMap, presented a data-driven analysis of corporate climate lobbying trends in Japan to the EBC Sustainability Committee members. As Stefan Le Dû, Chair of the committee, highlighted, the session revealed a contrasting landscape:
-The Good News: With companies like Sony, Takeda, AEON, Ricoh, Sekisui House Ltd., and SoftBank, Japan boasts the largest number of “Corporate Climate Policy Engagement Leaders” – 6 out of the 27 identified by InfluenceMap.
-The Not So Good News: Apart from “Japan Climate Leaders’ Partnership”, most industry associations in Japan do not align their lobbying activities with the Paris Agreement.
-The Untapped Potential: Sectors representing 38 million jobs (finance, retail, healthcare, logistics, etc.) that could push for stronger climate policies are not actively engaged – yet!

On 15 May, we attended the 40th anniversary reception of the International Bankers Association of Japan (IBA Japan). Today, IBA Japan includes most non-Japanese banks and securities companies from 22 foreign countries as its members, alongside 25 Associate Member firms. It promotes a robust, efficient financial sector, supports its members’ business interests and collaborates with Japanese authorities to develop the financial sector . In 2019, IBA Japan joined FinCity Tokyo to enhance Tokyo as a Global Financial Center. The EBC and IBA Japan are collaborating on the EBC White Paper, with IBA drafting the “Banking” chapter to provide our partners with accurate and comprehensive information.

IBA Secretary general Laurent Depus / IBA Chairman Alberto Tamura

On 16 May, we gathered at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Tokyo for an evening of business insights, cultural exchange, and networking at the 17th Czech Business & Culture Networking Event (BCN). After warm greetings from EBC Stakeholder CCCIJ Chairman Roman Watanabe and Czech Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Martin Klučar, new CCCIJ members were introduced. This was followed by a presentation on the Chiba Lotte Marines & Czech Baseball Bridge Program, highlighting sports diplomacy between the Czech Republic and Japan. Additionally, the Deputy Head Political and Economic Section, Ondřej Svoboda, presented on the “Czech Pavilion” at EXPO 2025 Osaka/Kansai, leaving us eager for the upcoming global exposition. The evening concluded with delightful networking, Czech cuisine, drinks, and music, fostering an ideal atmosphere for building new business connections and strengthening existing ones.

CCCIJ Chairman and EBC Board Member Roman Watanabe

Finally, I would like to inform you that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has prepared a research on “Case Studies relating to Collaborations and Joint Ventures between Japanese and Foreign Companies in Japan”. A webinar in Japanese will be organized on this topic next Monday.

The EBC team is looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Best regards,
Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

For more updates and information, please visit our website.

What’s in the Media

  • The government will aim to increase Japanese automakers’ global market share of software-defined vehicles (SDV) to 30% by 2030, according to a draft strategy for automotive industry digitalization the government is set to release shortly. (The Japan News)
  • Japan’s parliament on Friday enacted legislation to restrict the construction of onshore wind farms to prevent potential interference with the Self-Defense Forces’ radar systems. The new law obligates businesses to notify the government if they plan to build a wind farm in areas designated by the defense minister. (The Mainichi)
  • Japan’s industry ministry began a review of the country’s basic energy plan on Wednesday, at a time when power-hungry data centers are increasing in line with the spread of artificial intelligence. The basic energy plan sets the direction of the country’s medium- to long-term energy policy and is updated once every three years. (The Japan News)

Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings

Date Committee Time / Location
May 23 (Thu) Human Resources Hybrid
0930~
May 23 (Thu) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Off-site
1430~
June 5 (Wed) Liquor Hybrid
0830~
June 10 (Mon) Materials Hybrid
1730~
June 20 (Thu) Insurance Hybrid
0730~
June 20 (Thu) Human Resources Hybrid
0930~
June 20 (Thu) Telecommunications Equipment Hybrid
1400~
June 21 (Fri) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Off-site
1430~
June 21 (Fri) Railways Hybrid
1600~

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

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/