EBC Newsletter – September 12, 2024

On 10 September, the EBC Aeronautics, Space, Defence & Security Committee (ASDC) hosted a meeting focused on defence, bringing together key stakeholders including representatives from METI, ATLA / Ministry of Defence, the EU Delegation, European defence attachés, and ASDC members.
Highlights from the meeting:

• DG DEFIS, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space, shared the latest updates from Brussels.
• The ASDC presented its recent activities and progress.
• The EU Delegation provided an update on Horizon Europe, emphasizing its potential for dual-use technologies.
• METI and ATLA offered additional insights.

The session concluded with a strong commitment to continued collaboration and exciting plans for future engagements.

On 27 September, join us for an EBC working session where McKinsey & Company will take us on a journey towards “Unlocking the Potential of Generative AI in the Automotive Industry”: Their team will take stock of where we are today, share the latest best practices, and explore the key factors for successfully implementing Generative AI in the automotive industry.
Limited seats; secure your spot today and join us for the networking dinner at Ruby Jack’s afterwards.

Building on the resounding success of last year’s event, this year’s event promises even more insightful discussions and networking opportunities. Expect to hear from industry giants such as TDK, the European Commission, Tier IV and Daimler, with exciting prospects of participation from the Japanese government. Our esteemed speakers will explore the transformative impact of AI on the automotive industry and its future.

Stay tuned for more details, but don’t wait – secure your place today for what is sure to be a must-attend event for automotive professionals.

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

For more updates and information, please visit our website.

• Japan will hand out more subsidies for electric-vehicle battery production, pledging as much as $2.4 billion in support for related projects by Toyota Motor and other major companies, as it seeks to strengthen its battery supply chain. The government will support 12 projects for storage batteries or those for their parts, materials or production equipment by up to ¥350 billion ($2.44 billion), Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ken Saito told reporters. (The Japan News)
• Female full-time workers in Japan were paid wages that were 70 to 80 percent of what their male counterparts received last year, a government survey showed, underscoring the challenge the country faces in achieving gender equality in workplaces. While the gap has been narrowing, Japan lags behind some European nations like Sweden, which has achieved over 90 percent parity. The figure reflects that the number of female workers in managerial posts in Japan is still low, while the average length of employment is shorter for women than men, the government said. (Japan Today)
• The government plans to make it mandatory to recycle solar panels, it has been learned. While the number of solar panels in Japan began increasing in the late 2010s, many of them will reach the end of their useful lives in the 2030s, which could lead to their mass disposal. Given this, the government will require companies and others to recycle solar panels to reduce the impact on the environment, according to sources. The government also is considering introducing penalties for those who discard or abandon solar panels instead of recycling them, the sources said. (The Japan News)

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