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| Dear Friends of the EBC, This week, the EBC continued its engagement with Japanese authorities, European institutions and business partners on issues shaping the future of EU Japan economic relations. From improving Japan’s investment environment to strengthening defence cooperation and securing critical raw materials, our discussions focused on how closer dialogue and practical cooperation can help businesses navigate an increasingly complex global environment. |
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| DISCUSSING JAPAN’S INVESTMENT PROMOTION POLICIES WITH METI On 2 November, the EBC met with Yoshihiko Ito, Deputy Director, Sho Yamashita and Yusuke Irie of the Investment Facilitation Division at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The meeting provided an opportunity to learn more about Japan’s upcoming investment promotion policies and initiatives, while sharing the European business community’s views on how Japan could further improve its investment environment, enhance its attractiveness and encourage greater foreign direct investment (FDI). For European companies, Japan offers significant opportunities, but attracting more international investment also requires a business environment that is open, predictable and competitive. Continued dialogue with the Japanese Government is essential to identify practical improvements and give foreign investors greater confidence to establish and expand their activities in Japan. |  |
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| EXPLORING STRONGER JAPAN-EUROPE COOPERATION IN THE DEFENCE INDUSTRY On 5 November, the EBC met with Shinjiro Takeda, Director of Defence Industrial Policy, Minister’s Secretariat, and Yoshito Ishiguro, International Affairs Team Leader, at METI. Discussions focused on opportunities to deepen industrial cooperation between Japanese and European companies, including the development of platforms for dialogue and collaboration between industry stakeholders. The exchange also covered the EU Japan Defence Industrial Dialogue and the Japanese Government’s plans to establish a new agency dedicated to defence industrial policy. As Japan and Europe seek to strengthen their industrial capabilities and strategic partnerships, closer cooperation between governments and businesses will be increasingly important. The EBC will continue to support dialogue and identify opportunities to build stronger industrial ties between the two economies. |  |
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| PREPARING THE NEXT EU JAPAN BUSINESS ROUND TABLE On 6 November, the EBC participated in the preparatory meeting for the next EU-Japan Business Round Table (BRT). The meeting brought together European and Japanese companies, alongside representatives from the European Commission (DG GROW and DG TRADE) and Japanese ministries (METI, MOFA and MIC). Discussions examined the current geopolitical landscape and its implications for EU-Japan economic relations, with particular attention to practical solutions to the challenges facing businesses. The BRT is an important platform where business leaders and government representatives discuss bilateral trade and investment issues and develop recommendations to improve the business environment on both sides. The EBC plays a direct role in this process. Together with the Japan Business Council in Europe (JBCE), it co-chairs Working Party 1, covering Trade Relations; Investment and Regulatory Cooperation; Financial Services, Accounting and Taxation. The Working Party prepares recommendations to the Government of Japan and EU authorities, ensuring that the priorities and experience of European businesses in Japan are reflected in policy discussions. The discussions will feed into the next full BRT meeting, scheduled for 1 July 2027 in Tokyo. |  |
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| UNDERSTANDING JAPAN’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AND THE IMPACT OF AI On 9 November, the EBC participated in a conference organised by Crédit Agricole CIB, bringing together financial experts to discuss two important topics: the macroeconomic impact of AI in Japan and the outlook for Japan’s economy. Access to timely economic analysis and expert insights is valuable to the EBC’s work. A better understanding of economic trends helps us anticipate developments affecting European companies, identify emerging opportunities and challenges, and bring more informed perspectives to our discussions with policymakers and the business community. The conference was therefore a valuable opportunity to connect broader economic developments with the practical concerns of companies operating in Japan.
The EBC warmly thanks Crédit Agricole CIB for the invitation and for sharing its expertise and perspectives. |  |
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| SECURING CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS: SHARING EUROPEAN AND JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES On 9 November, the EBC Materials Committee met with a German delegation at a meeting organised by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. The exchange focused on rare earth elements and critical raw materials, particularly the challenge of reducing strategic dependencies on China. Japan’s approach was one of the key topics, including the role of the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). Through resource development, overseas investment, financial support and cooperation with resource-producing countries, JOGMEC contributes to Japan’s efforts to diversify supply sources and secure stable access to critical minerals. The discussion also examined European initiatives at EU and Member State level to diversify supply chains, develop alternative sources of critical raw materials, strengthen international partnerships and make Europe’s industrial base more resilient. Comparing experiences is particularly valuable for European companies operating in Japan. Greater cooperation between Europe and Japan could help reduce supply-chain vulnerabilities, improve access to strategic resources and create new opportunities for industrial partnerships. Building more resilient supply chains is a shared challenge that calls for coordinated international efforts. |  |
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| PARTNER’S EVENT : EUIPO FACILITATES EU-JAPAN DIALOGUE ON THE PROTECTION OF HANDICRAFT GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS On 20 November 2026, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) organises an online workshop on geographical indications (GIs) for craft and industrial products. The workshop will be dedicated to an introduction to the European Union system for geographical indications for craft and industrial products. Presentations will be delivered by the EUIPO, which has managed the EU-level registration of craft and industrial GIs and the EU register since 1 December 2025, as well as by competent authorities from France, Portugal and Spain, and one of the first applicant producer groups. The discussion will provide an overview of the EU framework and initial experiences with its implementation. Register here |
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This week’s activities reflect the breadth of the EBC’s mission: representing European business interests in Japan, maintaining direct dialogue with government authorities, contributing to EU-Japan policy discussions and facilitating exchanges on issues that matter to companies. Whether the subject is investment, defence, economic competitiveness or access to critical resources, our objective remains the same: to ensure that the experience and concerns of European businesses are heard and translated into meaningful progress. A stronger EU Japan economic partnership depends not only on shared ambitions, but on sustained dialogue and concrete action. Valerie Moschetti
Chief Operating Officer
European Business Council in Japan |
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- Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi conveyed to his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday Tokyo’s strong concern about a European Union plan to favor European-made electric vehicles, according to the Japanese government. Motegi and Barrot, who met on the sidelines of a Group of Seven foreign ministers’ meeting in Paris, confirmed that they will continue close discussions on the matter, the government said. (Kyodo News)
- In response to a series of personal information leaks caused by cyberattacks, the government intends to establish a “public-private cyber response team” that comprises experts from both the public and private sectors, according to sources. Members of the team will be dispatched to companies and organizations when urgently needed. (The Japan News)
- Japanese companies are actively moving forward with the development of battery energy storage facilities, which help balance the supply and demand of electricity by charging during periods of excess electricity and discharging during shortages. The importance of the facilities is growing further amid ongoing concerns over oil and gas supplies, driven in part by the situation in the Middle East. (The Japan News)
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Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings |
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| Date | Committee | Time / Location | | November 16 (Monday) | Railways | Hybrid
1600~ | | November 26 (Thursday) | Medical Equipment & IVD | Hybrid
1430~ | | December 1 (Tuesday) | Digital | Hybrid
0800~ | | December 1 (Tuesday) | Energy | Hybrid
1330~ | | December 8 (Tuesday) | Sustainability & Social Responsibility | Hybrid
1030~ | | December 10 (Thursday) | Liquor | Hybrid
0830~ | | December 10 (Thursday) | Telecommunications Equipment | Hybrid
1000~ | | December 10 (Thursday) | Medical Equipment & IVD | Hybrid
1430~ | | December 10 (Thursday) | Aeronautics, Space, Defence, & Security | EBC
1630 | | December 14 (Monday) | Railways | Hybrid
1600~ | | December 16 (Wednesday) | Food & Agriculture | Hybrid
0930~ | | December 16 (Wednesday) | Materials | Hybrid
1730~ | | December 17 (Thursday) | Human Resources | Hybrid
0930~ |
If you are interested in joining a committee meeting, please contact the EBC to confirm the time and meeting place. |
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