| Dear Friends of the EBC,
Welcome to the first EBC Weekly Newsletter of 2026. As we begin a new year, the European Business Council (EBC) in Japan remains fully committed to supporting European companies operating in Japan through strong advocacy, constructive policy dialogue, and close engagement with our institutional and business partners. The start of the year has already been marked by important exchanges and upcoming initiatives that reflect the EBC’s role at the heart of the European business community in Japan. |
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| Strengthening European German Business Ties in Japan
The EBC was honoured to be invited at the New Year’s Reception (Shinnenkai) hosted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (AHK Japan) on 16 January 2026 at the beautiful Happo-en.
The reception opened with insightful remarks by Karl Deppen, President of the German Chamber, Martin Huth, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Marcus Schürmann, Chief Executive Officer of the German Chamber and Delegate of German Industry and Commerce in Japan. The event brought together the German business community in Japan, key stakeholders, and institutional partners, including JETRO.
The reception provided an excellent opportunity to further strengthen our ties with the German Chamber, one of the EBC’s key stakeholders, and to engage in meaningful discussions with its team.
It was also a valuable occasion to meet German companies active in Japan and to exchange views on the challenges they face in today’s economic and geopolitical environment. These conversations are essential to better understand business needs and to ensure that the EBC can provide targeted advocacy and support where needed.
The EBC looks forward to continued close cooperation with our German partners in 2026 and beyond. |
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| EBC Meeting with the Embassy of Poland in Japan
On 21 January 2025, the EBC met with representatives of the Embassy of Poland in Japan. The discussion took place with Mariusz Boguszewski, Deputy Head of Mission, and Ewa Pilkiewicz, Vice-Consul and Third Secretary.
The exchange focused on the role and activities of the EBC and on how our organisation supports European companies operating in Japan through its 24 sectoral and cross-sectoral committees. The discussion also highlighted the presence and growing potential of Polish industries in Japan, including defence, agrifood, biotech, gaming, and other innovative sectors.
The EBC looks forward to strengthening its dialogue with the Polish Embassy and to supporting, through its advocacy work, as many Polish companies as possible in their development on the Japanese market. |
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| Upcoming EBC Event – 10 February
The EBC is pleased to invite you to a high-level panel discussion entitled “Practical Insights for In-House Counsel: EU and Japan Perspectives on Global Regulatory Trends.” The event is jointly hosted with the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Japan and marks Cyprus’ accession to the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The discussion will explore how key EU regulatory developments, ranging from digital governance and data protection to competition law and compliance, are shaping corporate legal strategy in Japan and globally.
The panel discussion will take place from 16:30 to 17:45, followed by a networking reception from 17:45 to 18:30, at Europa House, Tokyo. Participation is subject to limited capacity and security requirements, and advance registration is required. To register, please contact [email protected]. |
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| EBC Digital Committee – Upcoming Meeting
The EBC Digital Committee will hold its second committee meeting on 3 February from 08:00, at the EBC. A remote participation option will also be available.
Following a highly successful inaugural meeting at the end of last year, the Committee has already demonstrated strong engagement from members and clear, detailed plans for activities in the months ahead.
European companies interested in joining the Digital Committee are warmly invited to contact the EBC at [email protected]. We look forward to welcoming new members and continuing this dynamic momentum. |
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| Welcome to Our New Members in 2026
The EBC is pleased to welcome four new members in 2026, further strengthening the diversity and expertise of the European business community in Japan. |
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| Banca d’Italia
Banca d’Italia is the central bank of the Italian Republic and a founding member of the Eurosystem. Its main functions include contributing to euro-area monetary policy, safeguarding financial stability, supervising the banking and financial system, and promoting the efficiency of payment systems.
Banca d’Italia is present in the Asia-Pacific region through its Representative Office in Tokyo, one of the Bank’s three permanent overseas offices alongside London and New York. This international presence aims to strengthen institutional cooperation in economic and financial matters and to support the international projection of Italy’s economic system.
The Tokyo Delegation covers Japan as well as selected Asia-Pacific economies, including South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand, ensuring continuous monitoring of macroeconomic, financial, and regulatory developments. Through ongoing dialogue with Japanese authorities, investors, and the business community, it promotes a deeper understanding of Japan’s economic environment and contributes to stronger EU–Japan economic and financial relations. |
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| MECAL
MECAL has been pioneering wind power innovation for over 35 years. We develop advanced design tools that help the industry design, optimize, and improve wind turbines and key components for both onshore and offshore projects. The MECAL name is found on many of the world’s most successful multi-megawatt wind turbines, including high-capacity models, and thousands of turbines operate on our proprietary hybrid towers.
Today, we are also focused on ecologically enhanced offshore wind farms, combining effective scour protection with solutions that help reintroduce marine ecosystems supporting shellfish, shrimp, crustaceans, and juvenile fish. In addition, MECAL develops long-range scanning Doppler LIDAR systems to accurately measure wind conditions and support better wind farm control strategies.
With strong research, smart engineering, and practical manufacturing, MECAL delivers reliable solutions that accelerate renewable energy worldwide. |
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| ITK Engineering
ITK Engineering is a global technology company specializing in method-driven, platform-independent software and systems engineering. Driven by a passion for technology and strong industry insight, ITK helps customers manage complexity and transform it into intelligent, reliable solutions.
A key strength of ITK Engineering is end-to-end development along the entire V-model. By combining consulting, implementation, and operation, ITK supports customers from early concept phases through to deployment. The company’s portfolio ranges from embedded systems and classic software development to cloud-based solutions and artificial intelligence.
With around 1,100 employees worldwide, ITK Engineering serves customers across various industries, including automotive, industrial and railway engineering, medical systems, agricultural and construction machinery, and motorsports. International teams apply insights gained in one industry to others, enabling innovative solutions and sustainable value for customers.
Since 2017, ITK Engineering has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH. |
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Ferrero
Ferrero Group is a family-owned business, established in Alba, Italy in the Piedmont region in 1946. The Group is today led by the third generation of the Ferrero family, and is focused on producing high quality, innovative products in a socially, economically and environmentally responsible way.
We are focused on producing innovative, high quality products under trusted brands. Our brands include Ferrero Rocher, Nutella and Kinder.
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| As 2026 begins, the EBC remains firmly focused on its mission to represent and support European companies in Japan. Through active engagement with embassies, chambers of commerce, policymakers, and our member companies, the EBC works to identify challenges, promote constructive dialogue, and deliver practical, sector-driven advocacy. We look forward to another year of close cooperation with our stakeholders and of concrete action to improve the business environment for European companies in Japan.
Valerie Moschetti
Chief Operating Officer
European Business Council in Japan
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- Within the year, the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) may stop providing advance notice to attorneys about foreign nationals who are to be deported. Currently, the agency must inform attorneys representing illegal residents of the scheduled repatriation date about two months in advance. The change in policy will likely be met with opposition from the legal community. (The Japan News)
- The government plans to support the cost of next-generation aviation fuel, known as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), by subsidizing purchases by domestic airlines. The plans would require all airline passengers to shoulder an additional charge of several tens of yen while oil refiners and distributors would need to incorporate SAF, made from feedstocks such as used cooking oil, into aviation fuel. The government aims to promote domestically produced SAF from the perspectives of both supply and demand. (The Japan News)
- The government is adjusting its plans to formulate a policy to strengthen the domestic defense industry by the end of fiscal 2026, according to government sources. In its first “defense industry strategy,” the Takaichi administration is focusing on policies positioning the defense industry as a driving force of economic growth. By developing this strategy to showcase a mid- to long-term direction domestically and internationally, the government is seeking to lead corporate initiatives and boost the domestic defense industrial base. (The Asahi Shimbun)
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Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings |
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| Date |
Committee |
Time / Location |
| February 3 (Tuesday) |
Digital |
Hybrid
0800~ |
| February 6 (Friday) |
Railways |
Hybrid
1600~ |
| February 17 (Tuesday) |
Sustainability & Social Responsibility |
Hybrid
1030~ |
| February 19 (Thursday) |
Medical Equipment & IVD |
Hybrid
1430~ |
| March 3 (Tuesday) |
Digital |
Hybrid
0800~ |
| March 18 (Wednesday) |
Materials |
Hybrid
1730~ |
| March 19 (Tuesday) |
Insurance |
Hybrid
0800~ |
| March 19 (Tuesday) |
Telecommunications Equipment |
Hybrid
1000~ |
| March 19 (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. |
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