History & Core Mission
The core mission of the EBC then and now is to promote an impediment-free business and investment environment that will make it less difficult and costly to do business here.
The advantages to Japan are obvious – an impediment-free market will serve as a catalyst for global trade liberalisation and prosperity. Unified markets are needed to create a business environment which will stimulate innovation and economic growth, more investment and create new jobs.
Japan’s decade-long economic slump, globalization, regulatory reform, and aging population have been slowly forcing welcome changes in the Japanese market. European companies now have greater opportunities for direct investment, strategic alliances, and other tie-ups than at any other time. Accordingly, the EBC’s work to encourage beneficial structural and regulatory changes has become all the more important, not only for European companies doing business here, but for Japanese industry and consumers as well.
FIVE DECADES OF ADVOCACY
The EBC marks a major milestone
June 2022
Text by Andrew Howitt
There is one simple reason behind the founding and growth of the European Business Council in Japan (EBC): frustration.
In 1970, the European Community (EC) took over responsibility for trade policy from individual member states. This change, under the Treaty of Rome, kicked off trade relations with Japan at the European level. Echoing the move towards a more unified position, the heads of European firms in Japan — who were constantly confronted with tariff and non-tariff barriers, and who were finding it challenging to build stronger businesses — realised they needed a united voice if they were to have a chance of breaking down obstacles to trade, business development, and investment.
EBC CHAIRS OVER THE YEARS
| Jan. 2024 to present | Laurent Depus, The Organization of Global Financial City Tokyo |
| Jan. 2019 to Dec. 2023 | Michael Mroczek, NOZOMI Sogo Attorneys at Law |
| Oct. 2018 to Dec. 2018 | Michael Loefflad, DKSH Japan |
| Feb. 2014 to Sept. 2018 | Danny Risberg, Philips Japan |
| Jan. 2012 to Dec. 2013 | Duco Delgorge, MIE PROJECT |
| Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2011 | Tommy Kullberg, Kullberg and Partners |
| Jan. 2002 to Dec. 2008 | Richard Collasse, Chanel Japan |
| Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2001 | Isabelle Hupperts, Société Générale de Belgique |
| Mar. 1997 to Dec. 1998 | Peter Woods, Rover Japan |
| Jan. 1995 to Dec. 1996 | Alain Coine, Rhône-Poulenc Japanc |
| Feb. 1992 to Jan. 1995 | Mark Bedingham, Jardine Wine & Spirits K.K. |
| Feb. 1991 to Jan. 1992 | Anthony J.C. Brak, Shell Kosan |
| July 1989 to Feb. 1991 | Luciano Cohen, Japan Europe Trading |
| late 1986 June 1989 | Alfred Dienst, Hoechst Japan Ltd. |
| April 1985 to late 1986 | Claudio E. Bellavita, Intesa Sanpaolo |
| 1984 to Mar. 1985 | Wierd .J. Minzinga |
| 1983 | Robert Appeldoom |
