EBC ニュースレター　2026年11月4日

The third Japan CCUS Summit, held in Tokyo on 19 and 20 October, brought together more than 600 participants and over 80 speakers from Japan, Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia to explore the development of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS).

As a supporting partner, the EBC contributed to the discussions through Andrea Perin of the Bank of Italy, who represented the EBC and spoke during the international chambers session alongside the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and the Indo-Japan Business Council.

In his presentation, “Accelerating Cross-Border CCUS Partnerships: The Role of Industry Chambers in Connecting Global Markets”, Andrea highlighted the complementary expertise of European and Japanese companies and the opportunities to develop cross-border partnerships, particularly in CO₂ transport and storage. He also emphasised the importance of predictable investment conditions, clear regulatory frameworks, coordinated infrastructure development and compatible technical standards to turn CCUS ambitions into commercially viable projects.

For the EBC, such exchanges are an important part of its advocacy mission: connecting European companies with Japanese industry stakeholders, bringing business perspectives into policy discussions and identifying practical barriers to investment and industrial cooperation.

The Summit also provided an opportunity to establish new industry contacts and identify potential areas for follow-up through the EBC Energy Committee, reinforcing the EBC’s role as a bridge between European business and Japan’s evolving energy sector.

Thank you to Andrea Perin for his valuable contribution and support.

Thank you to the International Bankers Association of Japan (IBA) for inviting the EBC to MUSUBU! JAPAN DAY – Connecting Capital for Japan’s Growth, held at the Palace Hotel Tokyo on 27 October as part of Japan Weeks 2026.

We particularly value our ongoing collaboration with the IBA on the EBC White Paper, which reflects our shared commitment to constructive dialogue on the business environment in Japan.

Bringing together stakeholders from across the financial and business communities, the event highlighted Japan’s investment environment and the role of capital in supporting sustainable economic growth.

For the EBC, these occasions are valuable opportunities to engage with key stakeholders, strengthen institutional relationships and build connections that support European businesses operating in Japan.

On 29 and 30 October, the European Business Organisations Worldwide Network (EBOWN) East Asia and Pacific Regional Meeting was held in Seoul, chaired by Valérie Moschetti, EBOWN Regional Coordinator, with the participation of Stefan Ernst, President of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea and EBOWN Chair.

Bringing together European Business Organisations across seven markets in East Asia and the Pacific was about more than sharing experiences. The objective was to identify common interests and explore where regional cooperation can make a real difference for European businesses.

Discussions focused on how to develop the regional group into a practical platform for shared business intelligence, coordinated advocacy and stronger engagement with EU institutions. Key challenges in our region include strategic dependencies, supply-chain resilience, market access and investment conditions.

Exchanges with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), and with Walter van Hattum, Minister-Counsellor at the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea, were particularly valuable. Discussions highlighted the importance of regional partnerships, supply-chain diversification and high-quality investment in strengthening Europe’s economic resilience.

The ambition is to make EBOWN more than a network: a practical bridge between European businesses in Asia and European policymakers.

Many thanks to Stefan Ernst and the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) team for hosting us in Seoul, and to all colleagues and EU representatives for the constructive exchanges.

How can Japanese and European automotive companies strengthen their competitiveness in an industry undergoing unprecedented transformation?

On 29 October, the European Business Council in Japan Automotive Components Committee, in cooperation with the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (AHK Japan), brought together industry representatives for an executive seminar hosted by McKinsey at its Tokyo office in Azabudai.

Against a backdrop of rapid technological developments, intensifying global competition and evolving supply chains, discussions focused on three key areas where closer Japan-Europe cooperation could deliver tangible benefits:

• Diversifying battery material supply chains : Building on the political momentum generated by the EU-Japan Competitiveness Alliance.
• Developing shared architectures and standards for Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) : Helping reduce development costs and accelerate the industry’s transformation.
• Strengthening positions in third markets : Exploring how Japanese and European companies can work together to address increasingly strong competition from Chinese manufacturers.

The discussions highlighted the importance of moving beyond traditional business relationships towards new partnerships and alliances that can reinforce the competitiveness of both Japanese and European automotive industries.
The EBC would like to extend its special thanks to Jakob Fleischmann, Benjamin Gould, Keita Maeda and Marco Wampula from McKinsey for their valuable contributions and support in organising the seminar. A special thank you also goes to Chris Seidel, Chair of the EBC Automotive Components and Aftermarket Committee, for his continued engagement and support!

On 29 October, the EBC Defence Committee met with a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE), chaired by Dr. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, to discuss how Europe and Japan can deepen their cooperation in security and defence.

As geopolitical tensions reshape the international security landscape, closer EU-Japan cooperation is becoming increasingly important. But strategic ambition must translate into tangible opportunities for European and Japanese industry.

Discussions focused on three key priorities:

• Strengthening the strategic partnership: How can Europe reinforce its role as a trusted security and defence partner for Japan, and how can existing political dialogue deliver more concrete results?
• Unlocking industrial opportunities: What barriers must European defence companies overcome to participate more effectively in Japan’s evolving security and defence market?
• Creating the right conditions for cooperation: How can improved market access, closer industry-government dialogue and more effective industrial partnerships turn shared strategic interests into practical outcomes?

The EBC perspective is clear: European companies already operating in Japan bring valuable expertise, technologies and industrial capabilities. Yet closer political alignment alone is not enough. Predictable regulatory frameworks, effective market access and sustained dialogue between policymakers and industry are essential to enabling businesses to contribute to a stronger EU-Japan defence partnership.

Through its Defence Committee, the EBC works to ensure that the perspectives and concerns of European business in Japan are part of the policy dialogue. Bridging the gap between political commitments and industrial implementation is key to making EU-Japan cooperation deliver real results.

Save the Date: Third Digital Industry & Automotive Summit : 19 November 2026

The EBC, together with the Delegation of the European Union to Japan and other European partners, invites you to the Third Digital Industry & Automotive Summit, bringing together Japanese and European leaders from the automotive, manufacturing and digital industries to explore how AI is being put into practice.

Taking place at Europa House, the EU Delegation in Tokyo, the summit will feature three keynote presentations covering:

• AI in the automotive sector
• The future of the factory
• The role of semiconductors in robotics

Two panel discussions will explore the transformation of the automotive industry, including autonomous driving, and the growing application of AI across industry.
Speakers and panellists represent companies including TIER IV, SAP Japan, Infineon Technologies, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation / ARCHION Corporation, and Sakana AI.
The programme will begin at 16:00, followed by a networking reception from 18:30, offering participants an opportunity to exchange views and connect with industry peers.

Event details

• Date: Thursday, 19 November 2026
• Time: 16:00
• –19:30 (doors open at 15:30)
• Venue: Europa House, Delegation of the European Union to Japan, 4-6-28 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• Information: View the summit programme
• Registration: To register, please send an email to [email protected].

The summit is supported by the Delegation of the European Union to Japan, AHK Japan, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation and the EBC, together with EBC and AHK members and partners.

As AI reshapes manufacturing, mobility and industrial value chains, the summit will provide a valuable platform for European and Japanese stakeholders to exchange practical insights, discuss emerging challenges and identify opportunities for technological cooperation.