| National Day of the Czech Republic
On 24 October, the EBC participated in the celebration of the National Day of the Czech Republic, hosted at the embassy by Czech Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Martin Klučar. This event provided an opportunity to meet the Czech business actors in Japan and Japanese importers and investors interested in the Czech market. The sectors represented reflect the breadth of economic ties between the two countries, notably manufacturing and engineering, automotive and aerospace, as well as information technology and advanced materials, showcasing growing cooperation and mutual interests. |
 |
|
| Meeting with DG GROW Director Kristin Schreiber
On 30 October, the EBC had the pleasure of meeting with DG GROW (Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs) Director Kristin Schreiber during her visit to Japan to discuss chemicals regulation with the Japanese authorities. The meeting was attended by EBC members representing the retail and food sectors, as well as representatives of European chemical companies. Contributions were also made on behalf of European cosmetics companies in Japan.
Discussions covered a range of topics, including the regulatory landscape in Japan and the challenges posed by differences in legislation and standards between the EU and Japan. Other key topics included supply chain dynamics and aligning activities in Japan with global operations. |
|
|
Upcoming Smart Energy-focused Business Mission
The next edition of Smart Energy Week 2025 will be held from 19 to 21 February 2025 at Tokyo Big Sight. In connection with this significant event, the EBC is excited to share an excellent opportunity for industry involvement through a call for participation in an upcoming Smart Energy-focused business mission organized by the EU project “EU Business Hub.”, an initiative funded by the European Union designed to support EU SMEs and startups within the green, digital, and healthcare sectors, interested in expanding into Japan and the Republic of Korea. This mission offers a unique chance for innovative mid-sized European companies and startups looking to explore Japan as a marketplace ( deadline for participation: 8 November)
We encourage all eligible firms within your networks to consider this unparalleled opportunity and take steps to participate. |
|
|
| Climate Fresk Workshop
The European Business Council in Japan is glad to support the organisation of the largest Climate Fresk workshop ever held in Japan. This unique event, organised by Ichigo Bloom and UTokyo GXSN, will be held on Sunday 10 November afternoon at the University of Tokyo. We invite all our community members to participate in this fun and educational workshop about climate change.
You can find more information and register on the event’s official page. |
 |
|
| Two events promoting Hokkaido
1/ ‘Hokkaido Open Innovation Meetup in EZOHUB Tokyo’ (21 November, 18:00-21:00) in Japanese
STARTUP HOKKAIDO will hold a meetup event in Tokyo. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Open Innovation’. It is a meeting for start-ups interested in developing their business in Hokkaido, as well as for business companies looking for collaboration partners and start-up ecosystem stakeholders interested in Hokkaido.
Deadline: Wednesday 20 November 2024, 17:00 |
|
|
2/ ‘Hokkaido Promotion Seminar in Tokyo’ (19 November, 13:30-17:30).
In June this year, Sapporo was designated as a ‘GX Financial and Asset Management Special Zone’ with the aim of creating a financial base in the Sapporo area and promoting and developing GX industries throughout Hokkaido and is working to attract 40 trillion yen in investment from Japan and abroad.
This seminar, organised by Hokkaido and the Hokkaido Business Promotion Council, will take the opportunity of this special zone designation to introduce new business opportunities and future prospects in Hokkaido in GX-related industries, digital-related industries and manufacturing industries. The City of Sapporo will also make a presentation! |
|
|
| We look forward to connecting with you soon!
Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer
For more updates and information, please visit our website |
|
|
- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Friday his government will set up an expert panel to discuss ways to promote salary hikes by small and midsize companies to “achieve salary hikes that outpace rising prices.” Ishiba, who spoke of the plan at the first meeting of the economic and fiscal policy council since he took office, has already expressed an aim to raise the country’s average minimum hourly wage to 1,500 yen ($9.90) by the end of the 2020s. (Kyodo News+)
- Japan is planning to build an automated cargo transport corridor between Tokyo and Osaka, dubbed a “conveyor belt road” by the government, to make up for a shortage of truck drivers. The amount of funding for the project is not yet set. But it’s seen as one key way to help the country cope with soaring deliveries. (The Asahi Shimbun)
- Japan and the European Union announced a security and defense partnership on Friday as they seek to step up military ties, including joint exercises and exchanges between their defense industries, amid growing tensions with China, North Korea and Russia. It is the first security partnership that the EU has concluded with an Indo-Pacific country, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters. (Japan Today)
|
|
|
Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings |
|
|
| Date |
Committee |
Time / Location |
| Nov 8 (Fri) |
Railways |
Hybrid
1600~ |
| Nov 13 (Wed) |
Legal Services |
EBC
1000~ |
| Nov 14 (Thu) |
Medical Equipment & Diagnostics |
Off-site
1430~ |
| Nov 19 (Tue) |
Food & Agriculture |
Hybrid
1600~ |
| Nov 21 (Thu) |
Human Resources |
Hybrid
0930~ |
| Dec 4 (Wed) |
Liquor |
Hybrid
0830~ |
| Dec 5 (Thu) |
Human Resources |
Hybrid
1600~ |
| Dec 11 (Wed) |
Sustainability & Social Responsibility |
Hybrid
0930~ |
| Dec 11 (Wed) |
Energy |
Hybrid
1330~ |
| Dec 12 (Thu) |
Telecommunications Equipment |
Hybrid
1000~ |
| Dec 12 (Thu) |
Medical Equipment & Diagnostics |
Off-site (Representative meeting + Information exchange meeting)
1430~ |
| Dec 13 (Fri) |
Railways |
Hybrid
1600~ |
| Dec 16 (Mon) |
Materials |
Hybrid
1730~ |
If you are interested in joining a committee meeting, please contact the EBC to confirm the time and meeting place. |
|
|
|
|
|
