EBC ニュースレター　2025年10月22日

On 15 October in Tokyo, the EBC met with Joël Guschker, Associate Director for International Affairs and Trade Policy at DIGITALEUROPE, for an engaging exchange on shared priorities under the EU-Japan Digital Partnership.

During the meeting, both organisations presented their missions and ongoing work to promote innovation, strengthen digital trade relations, and advance trusted, value-based digital policies.

The timing was particularly fitting, as the EBC is about to launch its new Digital Committee, a platform dedicated to bringing together European companies active in Japan’s digital sector. The Committee will advocate for their interests while fostering dialogue and cooperation with Japanese partners and policymakers.

European digital companies operating in Japan are warmly invited to get in touch if they are interested in joining this new initiative and contributing to a stronger EU-Japan digital ecosystem!

On 16 October, the EBC Government Relations Committee hosted Professor Donald Low of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology for a talk titled “China’s slowdown: Causes, consequences, and prospects for recovery”.

Professor Low outlined the structural challenges behind China’s sluggish post-pandemic recovery, including high debt, a prolonged property slump, weak consumption, and falling foreign investment. He noted that these trends have led to deflationary pressures and comparisons to Japan’s “lost decades”.

He also discussed the Chinese government’s strategy to foster “new quality productive forces” aimed at boosting productivity and achieving technological self-sufficiency, while warning that deeper institutional reforms would be needed for sustained growth.

The event concluded with a lively Q&A on Professor Low’s presentation.

The EBC Insurance Committee met on 17 October to exchange views on cybersecurity and related risk management practices within the insurance sector. Members discussed current approaches to strengthening preparedness and response capabilities in the face of increasing cyber threats.

Key topics included Rapid Isolation Tests, Cyber Security Drills, Business Continuity Plan (BCP) Drills, and External Cyber Security Assessments. Members shared their companies’ experiences and underlined the importance of regularly testing, reviewing, and updating internal procedures to maintain operational resilience. Members expressed interest in continuing to exchange best practices and in exploring possible collaboration with relevant authorities and industry associations.

The Committee, chaired by Nicolas Sauvage provides a unique platform for European insurance companies to engage in peer-to-peer learning, share best practices, and stay ahead of emerging cyber and operational risks. Membership offers an opportunity to network with industry leaders, benchmark approaches, and collectively influence standards and guidance on critical risk management topics.

On 17 October, the EBC Defence Committee Chair, Nikolaus Boltze, met with Takuya Kimura, Director of METI’s Aerospace and Defence Industry Division.
The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the activities of the Defence Committee and to exchange views on recent developments in the sector.
The discussion also touched upon the upcoming EU-Japan Defence Industrial Dialogue, which both sides recognised as an important opportunity to further strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding between European and Japanese industry and government stakeholders.

The meeting brought together Franz Waldenberger, Director of the DIJ, and Sébastien Lechevalier, Visiting Research Fellow, with Valerie Moschetti representing the EBC.

The DIJ, part of the Max Weber Foundation, is a leading German research institute conducting interdisciplinary research on modern Japan in a global context, focusing on sustainability, digital transformation, and knowledge production.

Both organizations expressed their interest in identifying effective ways to collaborate, combining the DIJ’s academic expertise with the EBC’s insights from the European business community in Japan. The EBC looks forward to further developing this dialogue in the months ahead!

On 20 October 2025, the EBC was pleased to attend EFPIA Day 2025, organised by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) Japan.

The event featured a Patient Forum bringing together representatives from industry, government, academia, and patient organisations to discuss the future of healthcare in Japan, with a focus on patient participation, health literacy, and access to medical information.

This was followed by the 8th PASE AWARD Ceremony, recognising outstanding initiatives in patient advocacy and support. The reception featured remarks by Mr. Iwaya, President of EFPIA Japan, Mr. Hiroaki Tabata, Member of the House of Representatives, and Mr. Thomas Gnocchi, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Japan, among others.

A key theme throughout the evening was the strong alignment of EU and Japanese interests in healthcare, and the shared commitment to supporting patients, innovation, and sustainable access to medicines.

The EBC looks forward to continuing its close cooperation with EFPIA Japan in promoting a resilient and forward-looking healthcare partnership between the EU and Japan.