EBC ニュースレター　2025年4月16日

On 14 April, the EBC had the great pleasure of welcoming Danielle van Mulukom, Head of International Enterprise at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Sosha Bronfman from the Dutch Embassy in Tokyo.

This insightful exchange covered a range of timely topics, including:
– Japan’s response to recent US trade policy developments
– Potential implications for European industry
– Key Japanese sectors attracting European investment
– The regulatory environment shaping business opportunities

We extend our sincere thanks to Ms. van Mulukom and Ms. Bronfman for their time, insights, and ongoing collaboration. We look forward to future dialogues that strengthen the ties between European businesses and Japan.

On 14 April, Eduard Gabric, Chair of the EBC Materials Committee, met with Manabu Nabeshima, Director of the Metal Industries Division at METI. The meeting provided an opportunity to formally introduce the committee’s work and explore shared priorities between Japan and the EU.

A key topic of discussion was Green Steel, a major focus area for both regions as they work to decarbonize their metal industries while maintaining global competitiveness. Despite progress, challenges remain, especially high tariffs and overcapacity in global steel markets.

The EBC remains committed to advocating for a level playing field and supporting its member companies in navigating the evolving materials and metals sector.

The EBC has submitted public comments to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), advocating for reforms to the cabotage rules affecting offshore wind development.

While welcoming proposed procedural improvements, the EBC raises concerns about restrictions on foreign vessels and crew, which continue to limit project feasibility due to a shortage of domestic resources and expertise. The EBC stresses the need for clear, transparent criteria for Special Permits and urges MLIT to provide early and public clarification to ensure predictability for investors and developers.

The EBC also highlights the risks of relying on “unwritten” requirements – such as proving vessel unavailability or unrealistic reflagging expectations—which create uncertainty and discourage international participation.

Without meaningful changes, Japan risks delays in offshore wind progress due to limited access to essential vessels. The EBC calls for a broader review of cabotage regulations to enable a more flexible and globally competitive offshore wind supply chain.

Links to the Public Comments (English / Japanese)

Thank you for your continued support.

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

• The next head of the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, has signaled an unexpected shift in the influential business lobby’s priorities as tariffs and other policies pursued by U.S. President Donald Trump add to global uncertainty. On March 25, in his first news conference since securing his appointment, Nippon Life Insurance Chairman Yoshinobu Tsutsui said he would create a roadmap toward realizing Keidanren’s “Future Design 2040” vision published last December under outgoing chief Masakazu Tokura. (Nikkei Asia)
• A spirits producers association is seeking to have its standards for Japanese whisky given legal force to stop products that are blended in Japan but with the use of imported whiskies from being marketed as “Japanese,” as the brand gains a global foothold. “It is essential (for Japanese whisky) to enhance its trustworthiness to become a worldwide brand,” Daisuke Tsukahara, chief of the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association, told a press conference in Tokyo in late March as the industry body prepared to file a request with the government for legislation. (Kyodo News+)
• Some Japanese banks have begun blocking withdrawals from accounts held by foreigners whose period of stay has expired, the Financial Services Agency said Tuesday, amid a rise in the exploitation of such accounts by fraudsters. The National Police Agency in December called on all financial institutions to introduce the measure after seeing some foreign residents’ accounts being unlawfully sold and used in so-called “special fraud” cases, in which criminals impersonate relatives and officials to swindle victims. (Japan Today)

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