EBC ニュースレター　2025年6月4日

On 29 May, the EBC met with members of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Japan. Representing the EBC were the Chairs of the following committees:

• Aeronautics, Space, Defence & Security (Nikolaus Boltze)
• Railways (Thomas Wittek)
• Human Resources (Tobias Schiebe)
• Insurance (Nicolas Sauvage)
• Automotive Components (Chris Seidel)

Each Chair presented their sector’s key priorities and shared the regulatory and market access challenges European companies face in Japan. This valuable exchange helped strengthen ties between the European Parliament and the European business community in Japan, and underscored the importance of continued EU–Japan economic cooperation.

On 30 May in Paris, EBC Chief Operating Officer Valerie Moschetti met with Muge Adalet McGowan, Senior Economist and Head of the Japan/Ireland Desk at the OECD Economics Department. The two exchanged views on recent trends and challenges faced by European businesses operating in Japan. The meeting also addressed key themes for the OECD’s upcoming Economic Survey of Japan (2026). Following the success of the 2023 edition’s presentation in Tokyo in January 2024, the EBC looks forward to welcoming the OECD team again in 2026 for another engaging session with members.

On 30 May in Tokyo, the EBC took part in the 14th Annual General Assembly Party hosted by the Society of Japanese Aeronautics Companies (SJAC). The event brought together leaders from across Japan’s aerospace sector, senior government officials, and key industry stakeholders.

The evening featured remarks by the SJAC Chairman and keynote speeches from Minister Muto (METI) and other ministry representatives, focusing on innovation, global cooperation, and the future of Japanese aeronautics. The EBC’s presence highlights the growing relevance of international collaboration in this high-tech sector and our commitment to fostering EU–Japan dialogue and policy alignment.

The European Business Organizations Worldwide Network (EBOWN), of which the EBC has been a member since 2019, officially launched its 2025 Annual Meeting at the Albert Borschette Congress Center in Brussels.

Highlights from 2 June included:

• Opening speeches by Jason Collins, EBOWN Chair, and Sophie Müller of DG GROW
• Board updates and strategic project briefings (e.g. Business Sentiment Survey, Global Gateway, CS3D, Family Friendly Alliance)
• Best practice workshops on IP support and EU engagement

The network also welcomed new EBOs from Venezuela, Mozambique, Uzbekistan, India, Bangladesh, Belarus, Saudi Arabia, Kenya and Guyana.

On 3 June, the meeting focused on aligning with the European Commission’s evolving policy agenda and preparing for deeper engagement with EU institutions. The day featured insightful sessions with senior EU officials, including:

• A presentation on the Commission’s new policy priorities
• Discussions on critical raw materials, the Global Gateway initiative, and the clean transition, with contributions from DG GROW, DG INTPA, and DG TRADE
• Regional breakout meetings to coordinate messaging and prepare for upcoming dialogues with EU policymakers

The EBC is proud to contribute to this dynamic global network and looks forward to an impactful week of collaboration!

On 2 June 2025, the EBC, represented by its President, Laurent Depus; Board Member Michael Mroczek; Committee Chairs Tony Andriotis (Legal Affairs) and Johann Pozzi (Food & Agriculture); and Chief Policy Director Bjorn Kongstad, met with the EU Ambassador to Mongolia, Ms. Ina Marčiulionytė, during the Ambassador’s visit to Tokyo.

The primary purpose of the visit was to promote an upcoming investment seminar, which will be held in Mongolia in October 2025. The Ambassador outlined the objectives of the seminar, which aims to attract greater European investment and enhance economic cooperation between Mongolia and EU member states.

During the discussion, the Ambassador emphasised Mongolia’s role as a stable democracy in a strategically significant region. She noted the country’s ongoing efforts to reduce its dependence on certain neighboring countries by diversifying its international partnerships. In this context, the EU and its member states were identified as playing a key role in supporting Mongolia’s long-term development goals, particularly in areas such as investment, infrastructure, sustainable growth, and support for Mongolia’s export diversification.

On 2 June, at the 13th Meeting of the Council for the Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment in Japan, in the presence of Mr. Ryosei Akazawa, Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy, the EBC was represented by Marcus Schürmann, CEO of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (AHK Japan) and Delegate of German Industry and Commerce in Japan.

The EBC welcomes the Japanese government’s continued commitment to creating a more attractive and accessible environment for foreign investors. Prime Minister Kishida’s ambitious FDI goals and the adoption of the new Program for the Promotion of FDI in Japan 2025 are strong signals that Japan is serious about international investment.

Mr. Schürmann emphasized key priorities for achieving these goals:

• Improve access to financial services
• Accelerate visa and immigration procedures
• Recognize overseas certifications more quickly
• Continue removing obstacles to doing business in Japan

The EBC appreciates the opportunity to engage directly with Japanese policymakers and contribute to a future-oriented investment strategy. We look forward to seeing these commitments translated into tangible reforms that support sustainable growth, innovation, and international collaboration.

The objective will be to showcase how EU and Japanese companies can explore new opportunities together in foreign markets and how the EU can support such business partnerships. In addition, the EU–Japan Centre will exhibit at the Japan Energy Summit and Conference from 18 to 20 June at Tokyo Big Sight and host three EU companies developing decarbonization solutions within its booth.

👉 Register as a visitor (free of charge) to access the exhibition hall and the ClimateTech Stage where the seminar and pitching event will be held. No additional registration for the seminar is required.

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

• Mitsubishi Corp. and other Japanese companies are moving to adopt next-generation techniques for generating geothermal power that would broaden the scope of candidate sites, with an eye toward meeting growing electricity demand from data centers. Geothermal power is normally generated by tapping naturally occurring sources of water and steam heated by magma. These sources of water are usually limited to locations such as hot springs or mountainous regions. (Nikkei Asia)
• A group of Japanese auto and semiconductor industry companies has proposed a communication standard for automotive chips to an international body, seeking a leg up in technology that is vital for increasingly electrified cars.  The group, Advanced SoC Research for Automotive, is made up of 14 companies, including Toyota Motor, Honda Motor, autoparts supplier Denso and chipmaker Renesas Electronics. (Nikkei Asia)
• Japan’s parliament has enacted a law obliging 300 to 400 major firms to participate in a carbon emissions trading system that will be introduced in the fiscal year starting April 2026.  The revised law, designed to advance the country’s green transformation and decarbonization, targets companies producing 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide or more a year across a broad range of industries including the production of steel and cars. (Japan Today)

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