EBC報告書2025年度版 – EBCからのメッセージ

EBCからのメッセージ

Welcome to the 2025 edition of the European Business Council White Paper on the Japanese regulatory environment. This year’s title, “Reinforcing partnerships in a changing world”, reflects the growing importance of deepening economic and policy cooperation between Europe and Japan in an increasingly complex global context.

The EU-Japan partnership continues to strengthen through strategic frameworks such as the Green Alliance, the Connectivity Partnership, the Digital Partnership, and the ongoing evolution of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). These initiatives are paving the way for enhanced trade, investment, and regulatory convergence across key sectors.

Yet, the geopolitical landscape presents new challenges. The war in Ukraine, tensions in East Asia, and the reassessment of traditional alliances are reshaping the global order. In this environment, Europe and Japan must /take on more prominent leadership roles, particularly in sensitive sectors such as defence, where industrial collaboration is both mutually beneficial and necessary.

Encouragingly, momentum is building. Governments are backing bilateral cooperation, and new agreements are being signed. The EBC sees significant opportunities for joint initiatives in defence and space technologies and recommends enhanced dialogue between the European Defence Agency (EDA) and its Japanese interlocutors (ATLA and METI).

The EBC continues to advocate for the harmonisation of standards. This is true for electrical appliances, medical devices, food and railways. These are all sectors with varied levels of harmonisation.

Several regulatory developments featured in this White Paper illustrate steady progress. In legal services, the re-registration process for foreign lawyers has been simplified, and professional requirements eased. In tax, Japan is encouraged to reduce administrative burdens, especially for low-value expenses under the new Qualified Invoice System. The food sector sees movement on mutual recognition of organic products, though challenges remain regarding additives and food contact materials. A major positive development is the anticipated improvement in lot code protection for alcoholic beverages. After years of EBC advocacy, we may soon witness critical regulatory changes that align with global best practices.  Meanwhile, the inclusion of cost-effectiveness in the evaluation of in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) marks a significant shift toward value-based healthcare.

Environmental sustainability is another area gaining momentum. The growing use of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) calls for harmonised standards to avoid unnecessary complexity. In transport, progress is being made in both logistics and automotive sectors, although further alignment with international norms is needed. In aviation, Japan’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate signals a shift toward greener travel, but questions remain around supply readiness. A clear roadmap is needed to support industry transition.

The EBC’s work is made possible through the continued support of its stakeholders: European national Chambers of Commerce, corporate members, and partner organisations such as JAIA (Japan Automobile Importers Association), EFPIA European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations), and IBA (International Bankers Association). We are also grateful to the Delegation of the European Union to Japan and to the European embassies in Tokyo for their collaboration and engagement.

As always, we extend our sincere thanks to our contributors. The EBC remains committed to fostering a transparent, predictable, and business-friendly environment where European and Japanese companies can grow and innovate together.

We look forward to building on this progress and working toward a future defined by shared prosperity, resilience, and deeper cooperation.

Laurent Depus
President, European Business Council in Japan
European (EU) Chamber of Commerce in Japan

Valerie Moschetti
Chief Operating Officer
European Business Council in Japan
European (EU) Chamber of Commerce in Japan