April 02, 2020 EBC Newsletter – April 1, 2020

News, Newsletter

 

From the EBC

Dear Friends of the EBC,

The coronavirus crisis is creating major impacts on the global economy and has occupied our minds for several weeks now.
In response to this situation, the Japanese government adopted in March stimulus packages to support SMEs and households, while the Bank of Japan expanded its monetary stimulus.

In this newsletter, the EBC team has prepared a selection of articles published in the Japanese press as well as website links for a better understanding of the government’s assistance to the private sector.

It is however important to be ready for the “After COVID-19 crisis”. The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation shares with you its Report on the 2019 EU-Japan Trade Data. As the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement has just ended its first year of implementation, this document can help you develop your business.

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

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

What’s in the Media

  • On March 28, Prime Minister Abe promised an unprecedented package exceeding the package compiled in response to the global financial crisis of 2008, worth a total of 57 trillion yen (Asahi Shimbun)
  • The Japanese government is considering allowing a one-year grace period for corporate tax payments by SMEs affected by fallout from the coronavirus (The Mainichi)
  • The World Bank is estimating that the cornavirus outbreak will cause economic growth to slow significantly this year in Asia (The Mainichi)
  • Business sentiment among large Japanese manufacturers fell into the negative in March (The Mainichi)

However, the COVID-19 crisis should not let us forget other news  that will also impact businesses in Japan:

  • A new legislation was enacted on March 31 to spur businesses to let employees work until the age of 70 (The Mainichi)
  • New flight routes over the center of Tokyo opened on March 29, allowing a sharp increase in international flights to and from Tokyo International Airport at Haneda (The Japan News)
  • Retail giants will start charging fees for single-use plastic shopping bags from April (The Asahi  Shimbun)

Coronavirus in Japan
Japanese Government Support to the Private Sector

METI has a homepage in English (and Japanese) listing support measures for companies concerned with the impacts of the Coronavirus.

Not all information is in English, but quite a lot is.
https://www.meti.go.jp/english/covid-19/index.html#01  (English)
https://www.meti.go.jp/covid-19/index.html   (Japanese)

The French Chamber of Commerce in Japan has published an interesting document on COVID-19 Japanese Support for Shrinking Business Activities and Employment.

https://www.ccifj.or.jp/actus/n/news/covid-19-japanese-supports-for-shrinking-business-activities-and-employment.html

2019 Report on Export & Import EU-Japan Trade Data

This report from the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (joint venture of DG GROW and METI) gives an overview of trade relations between the EU and Japan in 2019 as well as a country-by-country data of export trade between Japan and individual EU Member States.

It also provides a breakdown of goods traded by category (i.e. chemicals, manufactured goods, food and livestock, etc.).

The report is based on statistics from the Japanese Ministry of Finance.

Available on:
https://www.eubusinessinjapan.eu/library/publication/report-export-import-eu-japan-trade-data-2019
Related information on the Centre’s EPA Helpdesk:
https://www.eu-japan.eu/epa-helpdesk

Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings

Committee Date Time Location
Logistics & Freight April 9 (Thu) 12:00~ EBC
Sustainability & Social Responsibility April 21 (Tue) 0830 Off-Site
Medical Equipment & Diagnostics April 23 (Thu) 14:00~ Off-Site
Automotive Components & Aftermarket April 24 (Fri) 16:00~ EBC
Energy May 13 (Wed) 13:30~ EBC
Legal Services May 15 (Fri) 12:00~ Off-Site
Medical Equipment & Diagnostics May 21 (Thu) 14:00~ Off-Site
Human Resources May 28 (Thu) 09:00~ EBC

White Paper Sponsorships

The European Business Council in Japan specializes in Japanese government relations and public affairs. Among our various services, the EBC White Paper is by far the most important document that we annually produce.

The White Paper is well read by not only Japanese authorities, but also by the various European embassies and the EU Delegation. Its recommendations to the Japanese government in 25 economic sectors are a useful tool for European businesses to advocate on various problems they encounter on – or to access to – the Japanese market.

We are therefore hoping that we can get the resources that are needed to print, translate and distribute this White Paper, something that has been done now for 20 years.

We would be very glad if you could support our work on improving better economic relations between the EU and Japan through one of OUR VARIOUS SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMMES.

Thank you in advance for your precious contribution.

European Business Council JAPAN
Sanbancho POULA Bldg. 2F, 6-7 Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075
102-0075東京都千代田区三番町6-7三番町POULAビル2F
TEL 03-3263-6222   |   FAX 03-3263-6223
www.ebc-jp.com/