EBC ニュースレター　2026年2月18日

On 10 February, the EBC organised a high-level Legal Services Committee event at the EU Delegation to Japan.

Introduced by Tony Andriotis, EBC Committee Chair, and moderated by Bonnie Kong, the panel discussion “Practical Insights for In-House Counsel: EU and Japan Perspectives on Global Regulatory Trends” delivered concrete, practice-oriented exchanges on evolving compliance requirements, regulatory convergence, and cross-border risk management.

Speakers highlighted the growing complexity of the global regulatory environment, including developments in digital governance, data protection, competition law, and broader compliance frameworks. Practical challenges faced by in-house counsel were discussed, notably managing multi-jurisdictional compliance requirements, navigating EU-Japan regulatory alignment and divergence, and anticipating regulatory changes driven by geopolitical and economic security considerations. The exchanges also underscored the importance of early dialogue with regulators, internal governance alignment, and cross-border legal coordination to mitigate risks and ensure business continuity.

The EBC warmly thanks H.E. Yannis Michaelides, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as all speakers and participants for contributing to a rich and highly relevant discussion.

Law firms interested in engaging more closely with the European business community in Japan and in contributing to our policy dialogue are warmly invited to reach out to the EBC regarding membership opportunities!

Valerie Moschetti
Chief Operating Officer
European Business Council in Japan

• The Japanese health ministry on Friday released details of medical fee revisions set to take effect from June, including new and expanded surcharges to address rising prices and wage hikes that have been putting pressure on medical institutions’ finances. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said the standard initial outpatient consultation fee will increase by 20 yen ($0.13) in June, followed by an additional 20 yen increase in June 2027, to account for inflation. (Kyodo News)
• The government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are considering expanding the range of defense equipment that can be exported and controlling their exports based on their lethality by reviewing the operational guideline of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, it has been learned. (The Japan News)
• The government will establish a “designated overseas business projects” system under which the state will assume the risk for any losses from certain projects that Japanese companies invest in abroad and are deemed important for economic security, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.  The system was revealed in an Economic Security Promotion Law amendment, which will be submitted during the special Diet session that will be convened Wednesday. (The Japan News)

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