EBC ニュースレター　2025年9月24日

Organised by the EBC Automotive Components Committee in collaboration with the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (AHK Japan) and the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (SCCIJ), the seminar brought together leaders from OEMs, Tier 1suppliers, and tech companies to explore how AI is transforming the automotive sector.

Inspiring keynotes by Momday Dok (Founder, GCDee) and Stefan Gspurning (GM, Connected Car Services & SDV, Nissan) set the stage with perspectives on AI applications in mobility.
Two lively panel discussions followed, highlighting success stories, risks, and the organizational changes needed to become truly AI-ready.
The evening concluded with networking over buffet and drinks, giving participants the chance to exchange ideas and build new connections across the mobility ecosystem.

A special thank you to Felix von Helden and to all speakers, partners, and participants for making this event such a success!

European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, was in Japan for discussions with the Japanese Government and also visited the Osaka Expo. During the meeting with the EBC, the Commissioner addressed topics such as data protection, data flows, and consumer protection, with particular attention to the inflow of small parcels. He also highlighted ongoing work and discussions aimed at broadening the existing agreement on data protection.

From the EBC side, views were shared on GDPR, Japan’s progress in digitalisation, and economic security, particularly in the areas of AI and cloud services. It was noted that Japan remains heavily dependent on foreign providers in these fields, which raises concerns from an economic security perspective.

The meeting concluded with the Commissioner kindly stating that he would welcome any input from European industry in Japan with open arms.

The forum highlighted innovative Hungarian companies in sectors like ICT, Smart City solutions, Digital Transformation, and more, providing valuable opportunities for future collaboration between Japanese and Hungarian businesses.

The networking session that followed was an excellent opportunity to meet promising Hungarian companies and connect with representatives from the Embassy of Hungary, fostering meaningful discussions and potential partnerships.

Quo Vadis Automotive?- Competing for the Future of Mobility – In-person AHK/EBC Session @ McKinsey – 9 October from 16:00

How iconic Japanese and global Auto Industry Powerhouses compete to win the Race for new Technologies with increasingly value-conscious customers, from Electrification to Smartification and the Technology Stack that enables them.

The automotive industry is now competing on two fronts for increasingly value-conscious customers: electrification and software‑defined, connected mobility. Advantage increasingly hinges on mastery of the enabling stack – the e‑powertrain, semiconductors, power electronics, and beyond. Early movers are converting gains in productivity, time‑to‑market, and customer experience; others remain in pilot mode, constrained by an unwillingness to take risks, economic constraints, and operating‑model readiness.

In collaboration with the EBC, McKinsey will take stock of where Japan and global industry incumbents stand, share benchmark practices from the front line, and unpack what it takes to win in the global race towards electrification and smartification – spanning capital allocation, partnerships and M&A, and capability building across software and silicon. We will connect strategy to execution along the value chain, with a specific lens on the component’s ecosystem.

Information and registration

*Please note that members of the EBC in Japan and members of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan may be prioritized for approval to the event in case of overbooking.

The event will present the key findings from the Centre’s recently published policy report, which examines Japan’s approach to governing advanced AI systems across five dimensions:
-national policy
-ethical direction
-institutional coordination
-collaboration with the EU
-global positioning
This is an excellent opportunity to gain insights into Japan’s AI landscape and the avenues for EU-Japan cooperation.
👉 More information & registration

Valerie Moschetti
Chief Operating Officer

• An agreement to enhance cooperation in the Japan-EU storage battery supply chain was confirmed during a meeting between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and European Commission Executive Vice President Stephane Sejourne at the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday. Japanese and European industry groups signed a memorandum on cooperation concerning storage batteries on Monday. (The Japan News)
• Japan will amend investment guidelines for startups in an effort to attract more overseas venture capital, part of the country’s goal to foster more unicorn companies.  The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will revise its guidelines for contracts between investors and startups by the end of September. The change will eliminate the rule obligating startups to make best efforts toward an initial public offering — a rule unique to Japan — and instead encourage mergers and acquisitions as an additional way for investors to recoup their funds. (Nikkei Asia)
• An ambitious project to combat global warming is planned in Chiba Prefecture, which would collect carbon dioxide emitted from factories in the prefecture along Tokyo Bay for storage deep under the seabed.  The CO₂ will be sent through a pipeline crossing the Boso Peninsula, where the project has come under fire from some communities.  (The Asahi Shimbun)

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