EBC Newsletter – March 25, 2026

March 25, 2026 EBC Newsletter – March 25, 2026

Newsletter, Publications

 

 

From the EBC

Dear Friends of the EBC,

We hope this message finds you well. Over the past week, the European Business Council in Japan has continued to engage actively with its member chambers and partners, while preparing a series of forward-looking events addressing key economic and technological trends. Below is a summary of our latest activities and upcoming opportunities to connect.
EBC at the Annual General Meeting of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (SCCIJ) – 17 March

The EBC was pleased to see Nikolaus Boltze, President of the Board, invited to attend the 44th Annual General Meeting of the SCCIJ, held on 17 March.

This well-attended event highlighted a year of strong achievements and set a clear direction for future growth within the Swiss-Japanese business community.

The SCCIJ is one of the 17 European national chambers of commerce that are stakeholders of the EBC. We warmly thank the SCCIJ team for their invitation and look forward to continued cooperation between our organisations.
Greek National Day Reception – 24 March

On 24 March, the EBC had the pleasure of attending the National Day reception hosted by H.E. Olga Kliamaki, Ambassador of Greece to Japan, at the Sumitomo Kaikan in Tokyo.

The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Greek Chamber of Commerce in Japan, an EBC stakeholder, chaired by Tony Andriotis, and several Greek companies active in Japan, reflecting the steady development of Greece-Japan economic ties. Trade and investment flows between the two countries continue to grow, supported by shared interests in sectors such as shipping, energy, infrastructure, and tourism.

Beyond economic relations, speeches also highlighted the evolving security environment and the increasing importance of international cooperation in the field of defence. In this context, Greece and Japan, both committed to stability and the rules-based international order, are strengthening their dialogue on strategic and defence-related issues.

A very engaging evening, illustrating the depth and potential of the Greece-Japan partnership.

Upcoming EBC Event: The Future of the Automotive Industry – 3 April

The EBC, together with the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan, is pleased to invite members to a discussion based on insights from the 25th KPMG Global Automotive Executive Survey.

As the automotive sector undergoes rapid transformation driven by digitalisation, sustainability, and shifting market dynamics, this session will provide a strategic overview of key global trends shaping the industry.

We look forward to welcoming you to this timely exchange!
Date: 3 April 2026, 16:00 – 19:00
Venue: AHK Japan, Tokyo

Registration

Upcoming EBC Event: Cybersecurity Conference – 7 April

The EBC Digital Committee will bring together policymakers, industry experts and practitioners to discuss current developments in cybersecurity and how organisations can effectively respond to emerging risks. Among the confirmed speakers are Luis Miguel Vega Fidalgo of DG Connect, European Commission, and Nobutaka Takeo, Director of the Cybersecurity Division at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). In addition, the programme will feature presentations from companies sharing practical experiences and case studies on how cybersecurity challenges are being addressed in day-to-day operations.

The conference will be of particular interest to professionals responsible for cybersecurity, IT governance and risk management, as well as executives and polic specialists seeking to better understand the evolving regulatory and operational landscape for cybersecurity in Japan and Europe. The event aims to facilitate dialogue between policymakers and industry while highlighting practical approaches and lessons learned from users on the ground.

Place: EU Delegation in Hiroo, 16:00 – 19:00

Agenda
16.00 Navigating Cybersecurity in the European Union
16.30 Cybersecurity in Japan: Landscape and Outlook
17.00 Case Studies: Industry perspectives on Cybersecurity
17.30 Q&A
18.00 Networking
19.00 Closing

Registration (please mail to [email protected])

German Economic Roundtable in Osaka – 27 March

The German Chamber of Commerce in Japan, together with the German Consulate General Osaka-Kobe and the Japanese-German Business Association, invites you to the next German Economic Roundtable in Osaka.

This session explores how Generative and Agentic AI reshape enterprises and their ecosystems. It highlights AI‑centric direction and business process transformation, focusing on delivering tangible value aligned with CxO agendas. We will also explore how can small and medium-sized enterprises lay down an essential foundation for successful AI adoption—leveraging best practices and a Clean Core approach—to unlock the highest performance and sustainable outcomes from Agentic AI.

Representatives from the City of Kyot and the Osaka Business and Investment Cente will share valuable insights into innovation initiatives and investment support available to companies in the region.
Registration

Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan Event: Technology Resilience in Times of Crisis – 8 April

This conference will explore Ukraine’s experience in AI and digital transformation and will feature Serhiy Tokarev, co-founder of the international investment group Roosh and founder of the Tokarev Foundation.

Discussions will highlight Ukraine’s internationally recognised expertise in digital public infrastructure, GovTech, cybersecurity, and innovation resilience in times of crisis. The programme will include panel discussions followed by a networking session to foster dialogue and collaboration between Japanese and international stakeholders.

Registration

As always, we thank you for your continued engagement and support. The EBC remains committed to fostering dialogue, strengthening cooperation among European chambers, and addressing key challenges and opportunities for businesses in Japan.

We look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events.

Valerie Moschetti
Chief Operating Officer
European Business Council in Japan

What’s in the Media

  • The defense ministers of Japan and Germany on Sunday underlined the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation, including via a potential new agreement to make joint exercises smoother and more effective. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi hosted his German counterpart Boris Pistorius in his hometown of Yokosuka near Tokyo, highlighting the close ties between the two countries. (Kyodo News)
  • Major mobile phone carriers will roll out a service on April 1 that allows users to connect to other carriers’ networks, ensuring that people can communicate in the event of a large-scale outage. The Japan Roaming service is the cornerstone of efforts made by the mobile phone industry as a whole to manage large-scale outages following a major disruption at KDDI Corp. in 2022. (The Japan News)
  • The Japanese government decided Tuesday to strengthen screening of foreign investments in the country by setting up a cross-ministerial, U.S.-style panel to prevent leakage of critical technologies and intelligence. Through a revision of the foreign exchange and trade law, the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks to ensure that it can identify foreign investments considered risky in terms of national economic security. (Japan Today)

Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings

Date Committee Time / Location
March 26 (Thursday) Energy Hybrid
1330~
March 26 (Thursday) Railways Hybrid
1600~
April 2 (Thursday) Food & Agriculture Hybrid
0930~
April 6 (Monday) Human Resources Hybrid
0930~
April 7 (Tuesday) Digital Hybrid
0800~
April 7 (Tuesday) Government Relations Hybrid
1230~
April 9 (Thursday) Liquor Hybrid
0830~
April 16 (Thursday) Railways Hybrid
1600~
April 23 (Thursday) Logistics & Freight Hybrid
0930~
April 23 (Thursday) Medical Equipment & IVD Hybrid
1430~

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
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