EBC ニュースレター - 2020年6月17日

EBC ニュースレター - 2020年6月17日

 

From the EBC

 

Dear Friends of the EBC,

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the communication behaviour of billions of people worldwide. Digital communication is the big winner of the crisis. Even if we already used webinars or web meetings before, they have become a normal part of our daily professional – and personal – lives.

In this Newsletter, we chose to advertise two interesting webinars:

  • The re-entry ban to Japan for non-Japanese nationals is still a problem for many businesses. Following the publication of our statement on this issue on May 15th, the EBC is organizing a webinar on June 19th. If you are interested, please have a look at the program and register!
  • The EU and Japan are offering an “EU-Japan Webinar Series on COVID-19” from June to September: a total of 9 webinars will be held to inform and exchange views about the EU and Japan’s responses to COVID-19, as well as to provide ideas for enhancing EU-Japan cooperation in this new context. Tomorrow, the webinar will focus on “COVID-19 and Business”.
  • We also share with you two useful contacts if you are a foreign company interested in a helpline for COVID-19 related issues or if you are a foreign financial company looking for contacts in Japan.

We wish you a good reading and hope you stay positive and healthy during this difficult time.

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

EBC Briefings – Impacts on Businesses Caused by the Limitations on Re-Entering Japan for Non-Japanese Citizens

 

This year, COVID-19 has radically affected freedom of circulation. With the World Health Organization declaring the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, several countries have been revising their entry policies.

Japan currently has a ban on the entry of non-Japanese nationals who have visited, for instance, Europe within 14 days prior to entering Japan. While the EU has similar restrictions, it exempts legal residents of Europe, independent of nationality, meaning that Japanese nationals residing in the EU can enter.

Not being able to re-enter Japan puts great strain on foreigners working in Japan and companies, as some of their employees cannot leave Japan and come back, except in special circumstances. On May 15, the European Business Council in Japan (EBC) issued a statement on the limitations for non-Japanese nationals to re-enter Japan as it believes there is no rational and scientific reason for treating residents differently based on nationality.

In this EBC Briefing (webinar), we will get an overview of the current situation. We will also hear from the European private sector pointing out damages to businesses and to the Japanese economy.

For further details, please read the detailed program.

Date: Friday, June 19 2020
Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm
To register, please send an email to: [email protected]

If you have questions prior to the webinar, kindly send them when you register.

EU-Japan Webinar series:
COVID-19 and Business

 

The EU and Japan are organising an “EU-Japan Webinar Series on COVID-19” from June to September: a total of 9 webinars will be held to inform and exchange views about the EU and Japan’s responses to COVID-19, as well as to provide ideas for enhancing EU-Japan cooperation in this new context.

Restarting the economy, particularly after the impact of COVID-19 on business and employment, is a common challenge for European and Japanese authorities.

In this webinar, European and Japanese experts from both the public and the private sector will share experiences on responding to the crisis from managing liquidity to managing disrupted supply chains and teleworking staff.

The speakers will also share their views about projections and trends affecting business and SMEs after the outbreak of the pandemic, including how to assess risks, build resilience and shape business models to better withstand future crises.

The webinar will be in Japanese and English (simultaneous interpretation will be provided).

Date: Thursday, June 18 2020
Time: 4:30pm-6:00pm
Webinar registration on this link

JETRO opens a helpline for foreign companies for COVID-19 related issues

 

In light of the impact of COVID-19, JETRO has established a consultation service for foreign companies and foreign-affiliated companies operating in Japan in relation to their domestic operations.

Consultations can be done in English, Japanese, and Chinese
https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/covid-19/helpline.html
Phone number:
+81 (0)3-6628-7261 (Japanese)
+81 (0)3 6628-7264 (English)
+81 (0)3-6633-6946 (Chinese)
Opening hours: 9am – 6pm (weekdays)

Tokyo FiNexus, community for foreign companies in the Financial sector

 

The company Pasona Inc. has been operating the “Business Development Center TOKYO” which focuses on promoting overseas companies, in particular in the financial sector.

In order to enforce the program, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government organized a community called “Tokyo FiNexus” on LinkedIn, which Pasona is commissioned to manage.

If you are a European company in the financial sector willing to connect with Japanese stakeholders and FinTech startups that have successfully made inroads into Tokyo, please visit these websites!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tokyo-finexus-594736186/
https://tokyofinexus.peatix.com/

What’s in the Media

  • Japan’s May exports, imports log biggest year-on-year fall in decade (The Mainichi)
  • Bank of Japan boosts aid for coronavirus-hit firms (Japan Today)
  • Japan to toughen regulation of foreign investments in medical firms (The Japan Times)
  • Europe reopens many borders but not to Americans, Asians (The Mainichi)
  • OECD: Japan’s economy could shrink into 2021 (News on Japan)

Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings

Date Committee Time / Location
June 18 (Thursday) Telecom Carriers
Telecom Equipment
EBC
10:00~
June 25 (Thursday) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Committee Off-site
14:00~
July 16 (Thursday) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Committee Off-site
14:00~
July 30 (Thursday) Human Resources EBC
09:00~

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

White Paper Sponsorships

The European Business Council in Japan specializes in Japanese government relations and public affairs. Among our various services, the EBC White Paper is by far the most important document that we annually produce.

The White Paper is read by not only Japanese authorities, but also by the various European embassies and the EU Delegation. Its recommendations to the Japanese government in 25 economic sectors are a useful tool for European businesses to advocate on various problems they encounter on – or to access to – the Japanese market.

We are therefore hoping that we can get the resources that are needed to print, translate and distribute this White Paper, something that has been done now for 20 years.

We would be very glad if you could support our work on improving better economic relations between the EU and Japan through one of OUR VARIOUS SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMMES.

Thank you in advance for your precious contribution.

European Business Council JAPAN
Sanbancho POULA Bldg. 2F, 6-7 Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075
102-0075東京都千代田区三番町6-7三番町POULAビル2F
TEL 03-3263-6222 | FAX 03-3263-6223
www.ebc-jp.com/