EBC ニュースレター　2025年1月29日

On 22 January, the European Business Council in Japan had the privilege of attending the EU Delegation’s Science, Innovation, Digital, and Other EU Policies Section New Year Party. The evening featured inspiring speeches that underscored the immense potential of EU-Japan collaboration, with Horizon Europe taking center stage as a key theme. The event brought together a dynamic mix of participants, including government officials, academics, researchers, and industry leaders from sectors such as digital innovation, energy, and advanced materials.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the EU Delegation for including the EBC in this exceptional gathering. Such events are invaluable for fostering international partnerships and driving innovation toward a more connected and sustainable future.

On 23 January, the EBC had the honour of hosting a delegation from the Kyoto City Industry and Tourism Bureau. This meeting focused on showcasing Kyoto’s unique advantages as a hub for international businesses, where innovation meets cultural heritage.
Key initiatives presented during the meeting include:
– Subsidy Program for Establishing the First Business Facility in Kyoto City
– Subsidy Program for Trial Establishment of a New Business Facility

On 23 January, the Nordic Chambers of Commerce (🇩🇰 DCCJ, 🇫🇮 FCCJ, 🇸🇪 SCCJ, 🇮🇸ISCCJ, and 🇳🇴 NCCJ) hosted their Shinnenkai, welcoming over 100 participants for an evening of networking and celebration.
The event featured:
– A presentation of the Nordic Pavilion for EXPO Osaka 2025, highlighting upcoming initiatives.
– A celebratory kampai with ambassadors and chamber presidents, marking the beginning of an exciting year ahead.
It was a pleasure to connect with members of the Nordic Chambers and EBC companies during this vibrant event.

On 24 January, the EBC met with Professor Ken-ichi Ando, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Economics at Shizuoka, whose research centers on European economic integration and competitiveness. 
The discussion underscored the EBC’s commitment to fostering EU-Japan trade relations. Such exchanges provide valuable insights into global challenges and strengthen collaboration between academia and business. We look forward to continuing this dialogue with Professor Ando and other experts.

Date: 26 February 2025
Registration Deadline: Friday 21 February
Registration Link

With the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 just months away, the Osaka Business and Investment Center (O-BIC) is hosting the Osaka Online Tour & Investment Seminar to provide insights into Osaka’s thriving business environment. 
Highlights include:
– A live broadcast from Osaka Station, a major commercial and transportation hub.
– Updates on GRAND GREEN OSAKA and FUTRWORKS, spaces driving innovation and attracting global talent.
– Practical guidance on establishing a company and obtaining visas in Japan.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain first-hand insights into Osaka’s dynamic business landscape!

For more updates and information, please visit our website.

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

• Japan will replace its technical intern training program — which brought in laborers from other countries to support domestic industries like manufacturing, construction, agriculture and fishing — with a new system by 2027. Though details have been scarce, a concrete image of the new framework has begun to emerge thanks to a draft ordinance from the Immigration Services Agency and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. (Nikkei Asia)
• The government and Japan’s biggest business lobby Keidanren said Monday they plan to double the country’s capital expenditures to 200 trillion yen in fiscal 2040 from its level in fiscal 2023, as they seek to expand investment in growth areas such as decarbonization and digitalization. “The government and the private sector need to work hand in hand” to make the newly set goal a reality, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in a meeting held at the prime minister’s office. (Japan Today)
• Japan’s labor ministry is eyeing expansion of the so-called “inter-work interval system” requiring a certain number of rest hours from the end of duties one day to the start of work the next. The interval system was introduced under the work-style reform legislation that came into effect in in 2019, and obliges companies to make efforts to implement it. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare aims to have 15% of businesses introduce the system by 2028, but that figure currently stands at 5.7%. Among businesses that have introduced it, the average interval is 10 hours, 40 minutes. (The Mainichi)

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