Dear Friends of the EBC,
Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful summer, filled with relaxation, new experiences, and time to recharge. As we transition into this new season, we’re excited to reconnect and share the latest updates, insights, and opportunities ahead. Let’s make the most of the months to come!
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The President of the EBC Board, Laurent Depus, attended the “Insights from the Swiss National Bank (SNB)” luncheon conference organised by the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Japan in August. Two speakers from the SNB shared very informative insights on the Swiss National Bank’s monetary policy and central bank digital currency project.
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On 26 August, the EBC had the pleasure of meeting with officials from the City of Sapporo. The city gave a comprehensive presentation on various ongoing and planned initiatives, ranging from renewable energy projects to public transport improvements and the development of next-generation semiconductors. Notably, the city is on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 59% by 2030, exceeding the national target of 46%. Sapporo also offers subsidies for the establishment of new offices and financial incentives for the expansion of existing facilities.
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| Mark your calendars: on 27 September from 16:00 to 18:00, the EBC Automotive Components Committee, with the kind support of the German Chamber, is hosting a presentation by McKinsey on Generative AI in the automotive industry. Some of the topics that will be covered are the impact of GenAI on the automotive industry, how to scale and overcome execution challenges. |
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| On a related note, the EBC would also like to inform you that its Automotive Components Committee will be holding its big Second Annual Digital Summit on 17 October. Last year’s event was a great success and this year will be no different. It will take place on 17 October from 16:00 at the EU Delegation. There will be prominent speakers from TDK, European Commission, Tier IV, Daimler and hopefully the Digital Agency, to name but a few, talking about AI and its impact on the automotive industry. More information will be sent out later, but we hope you can make it. It will be worth it! |
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| The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is organising an exclusive matchmaking event at the Kawasaki International Eco-Tech Fair from 13 to 15 November 2024. Participants will be able to meet Japanese companies and representatives from the Philippines (Cebu) and Cambodia to discuss EU-Japan joint projects in the Philippines and Cambodia. A call for applications is open for EU companies and their subsidiaries in Japan and Southeast Asia developing sustainable solutions related to energy, waste and resource management or doing consulting and project management in Southeast Asia. |
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| The EBC team looks forward to hearing from you soon!
Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer
For more updates and information, please visit our website. |
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- Amid a declining birth rate and attendant labor shortage, as well as the expansion of many businesses overseas, Japanese companies are increasingly seeking to hire foreign students who are studying at universities in Japan. On top of this, an increasing number of local governments are trying to match foreign students with companies eager to recruit them. (The Japan News)
- The Japan Tourism Agency said Tuesday it is considering removing a 500,000 yen ($3,500) tax-free limit for purchases of consumable goods such as cosmetics, alcohol, food and medicine, as it seeks to boost spending by inbound travellers. As part of its tax reform requests for fiscal 2025, the agency also called for scrapping a requirement that tax-free items be packed and sealed in bags, a rule put in place to prevent consumption or reselling of the items before leaving Japan. (Kyodo News+)
- The government will start making full-fledged efforts to help doctorate degree holders land jobs at corporations. Japanese companies are generally reluctant to hire and make use of doctorate degree holders. The proportion of the population who hold such a degree is also smaller in Japan compared with the United States and advanced European countries. (The Japan News)
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Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings |
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| Date |
Committee |
Time / Location |
| Sep 4 (Wed) |
Liquor |
Hybrid
0830~ |
| Sep 9 (Mon) |
Materials |
Hybrid
1730~ |
| Sep 12 (Thu) |
Sustainability & Social Responsibility |
Hybrid
0930~ |
| Sep 13 (Fri) |
Railways |
Hybrid
1600~ |
| Sep 19 (Thu) |
Human Resources |
Hybrid
0930~ |
| Sep 19 (Thu) |
Medical Equipment & Diagnostics |
Off-site
1430~ |
| Sep 25 (Wed) |
Energy |
Hybrid
1330~ |
| Sep 26 (Thu) |
Telecommunications Equipment |
EBC
1000~ |
| Oct 11 (Fri) |
Railways |
Hybrid
1600~ |
| Oct 17 (Thu) |
Insurance |
Hybrid
0730~ |
| Oct 17 (Thu) |
Human Resources |
Hybrid
0930~ |
| Oct 17 (Thu) |
Medical Equipment & Diagnostics |
Off-site
1430~ |
| Oct 22 (Tue) |
Food & Agriculture |
Hybrid
1700~ |
If you are interested in joining a committee meeting, please contact the EBC to confirm the time and meeting place. |
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