EBC ニュースレター　2025年3月12日

On 6 March, the European Business Council in Japan’s newly launched Government Relations Committee hosted Tobias Harris, a leading expert on Japanese politics and author of The Iconoclast, the definitive biography of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Tobias delivered a thought-provoking talk on Japan’s evolving political landscape, offering key insights into the adaptability of Prime minister Shigeru Ishiba and how political players are navigating an increasingly complex environment.
A big thank you to Jakob Edberg, EBC Government Relations Committee Chair, a longtime friend of Tobias, for making this event possible.

On 6 March, the EBC attended a seminar on “Building on a new momentum for gender equality – Towards a better working environment for Women” organised by the EU Delegation to Japan, The EU-Japan Parliamentary League of Friendship, The Parliamentary League to Promote Women’s Political Participation and Advancement.
This event brought together leaders from Japan and the EU to discuss gender equality and workplace inclusivity. Held in a hybrid format at the House of Representatives, the event featured insightful discussions on political representation, pay equity, and creating better work environments for women.
Key discussions included:
✅ The importance of diverse representation in politics for shaping inclusive policies
✅ Strategies to close the gender pay gap and foster equitable workplaces
✅ The impact of dual surname rights on business and civic life

On 7 March, the European Business Council in Japan attended the Global Business Seminar hosted by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event focused on Japan’s attractiveness as an investment destination and served as a lead-up to the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025.
Key discussions included Japan’s efforts to promote foreign direct investment, regional revitalization, and sustainability. Kyoto City presented initiatives to attract foreign businesses, while government representatives outlined policies supporting investment and innovation. JETRO highlighted resources available to foreign companies, reinforcing Japan’s commitment to strengthening international business ties. The seminar showcased the opportunities Japan offers to European businesses, particularly in sustainability and advanced industries.
The EBC welcomes Japan’s proactive approach and sees great potential for further EU-Japan economic collaboration, especially with the Osaka-Kansai Expo on the horizon.

On 10 March, the European Business Council attended the 388th Lecture Meeting of the Yomiuri International Economic Society (YIES), where Mr. Tetsuro Higashi, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Rapidus Corporation, discussed the ongoing progress of the Rapidus project in Hokkaido. This project is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revitalizing Japan’s semiconductor industry by establishing a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chitose City, and progresses towards its pilot production in April 2025 and mass production in 2027.
This facility, set to produce in a few years next-generation 2-nanometer semiconductors, represents Japan’s largest-ever development project in the sector.
Key stakeholders include:
• Rapidus Corporation: The project leader, partnering with IBM to develop cutting-edge semiconductor technology.
• Japanese Government: Providing substantial financial support through subsidies and legislation to ensure stable chip production.
• Private Investors: Major companies such as Sony, NEC, NTT, Toyota, and MUFG Bank are contributing funds alongside financial institutions like Sumitomo Mitsui Banking and Mizuho Bank.
• Hokkaido University: Collaborating with Rapidus on research and human resource development for advanced semiconductor technologies.
• Local Government and Organizations: Supporting infrastructure development and promoting Hokkaido’s advantages, including renewable energy and abundant water resources.
This ambitious project aims not only to enhance Japan’s technological capabilities but also to contribute to carbon neutrality and economic growth in Hokkaido.

Since the beginning of the year, the EBC has had the pleasure of welcoming several European companies as new members, further enriching our committees.
This week, we are pleased to introduce two of them:

The development and utilization of AI enhance the convenience of society and have the effect of increasing social and economic benefits. At the same time, there is a risk that improper or unjust use could damage society or the economy. Discussions are ongoing in major countries around the world, as well as in international forums, on how to increase the benefits of AI while reducing risks.
Discussions on the “Hiroshima AI Process” have been ongoing in the G7 member countries since the Hiroshima Summit in 2023. The EU passed the world’s first AI (regulation) Act in August 2024, which came into effect in February 2025. In Japan, while the government has long encouraged companies to voluntarily regulate AI usage through government guidelines and other measures, the Cabinet decided on a new AI bill in February 2025, which it aims to pass in the ordinary Diet session by June this year.
The EU and Japan agreed on the “Japan-EU Digital Partnership” in the 2022 Summit to promote the development of a human-centered, sustainable digital society. Since then, both parties are advancing dialogue and cooperation to contribute to society and the economy through digital technologies. In this webinar, based on this spirit, we will deepen the dialogue between the public and private sectors of Japan and the EU regarding AI innovation-oriented development, implementation, and the regulation of its risks.
This event is organized by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) and the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (EUJC) on Wednesday, 19 March, 16:30-18:00 Tokyo (with English-Japanese Simultaneous Interpretation / Free event)
Registration: Webinar Registration – Zoom

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

• Japan ranked the third worst place among developed nations for working women for the second year in a row, according to the 2024 index compiled by British magazine The Economist released to mark International Women’s Day on Saturday. Based on the glass-ceiling index, which measures the role and influence of women in the workforce in 29 of the 38 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Japan was at 27th place, followed by South Korea and Turkey. (Kyodo News+)
• Japanese firms are feeling the most acute shortage of full-time workers since the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than half of firms understaffed, according to a private-sector survey. Among the around 11,000 companies who responded to the January survey, 53.4 percent said they need more full-time workers, the highest since April 2020 and close to the all-time high of 53.9 percent in November 2018, Teikoku Databank Ltd said. (Japan Today)
• The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry intends to launch an effort in fiscal 2025 to consolidate small-scale solar power generation projects as the feed-in tariff (FIT) system — in which the government guarantees that utility companies purchase electricity from renewable energy sources at a fixed price — will be phased out from fiscal 2032. The planned end of the system has raised concerns over a potential exodus of small business operators. The government intends to promote business consolidation by giving preferential treatment to “certified operator” with an aim to expanding solar power generation, named as a pillar of renewable energy sources in the Strategic Energy Plan approved by the Cabinet in February. (The Japan News)

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