EBC ニュースレター　2026年2月25日

On 20 February, the EBC met with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Japan, represented by Ambassador Paweł Milewski, Deputy Head of Mission Mariusz Boguszewski, and Vice-Consul Ewa Pilkiewicz.

Discussions highlighted Poland’s strong economic outlook and the upcoming visit of the Polish President to Japan, who will be accompanied by major business and institutional engagements. The exchange also noted Japan’s growing interest in Poland, including the planned opening of a local office by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

Key sectors of shared interest include energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and the reconstruction of Ukraine. As the Polish Chamber of Commerce in Japan (PCCJ) is a valued EBC stakeholder, the EBC reaffirmed its readiness to support Polish companies active or planning to operate in Japan, through its advocacy work on non-tariff barriers and regulatory issues.

This meeting illustrates the EBC’s role in strengthening intra-European coordination while deepening partnerships with Japanese stakeholders in strategic industries.

On the same day, the EBC visited the new French Ambassador to Japan, Beatrice Le Fraper du Hellen, together with Gilles Bordes, Head of the Regional Economic Department in Tokyo.

The EBC presented its mission and ongoing advocacy efforts to improve the business and trade environment between Europe and Japan, particularly by addressing non-tariff barriers that can constrain market access for certain European goods and services.

The Embassy shared concrete examples of challenges still faced by some French companies seeking to expand further in Japan. At the same time, Japan’s stable business environment, high quality standards, and strong commitment to innovation were highlighted as key factors making it an exceptionally attractive and strategically important market for European firms.

With the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan among the EBC’s core stakeholders and nearly 50 French companies in its membership, France plays a significant role within the EBC community. The exchange reaffirmed the value of close public-private coordination to support European companies’ long-term success in Japan.

On 19 February, the EBC team, led by President Nikolaus Boltze, held a strategic exchange with Ozlem Fidanci, Executive Vice President of Royal Philips, during her visit to Japan. The discussion brought together key representatives from Philips Japan, including newly appointed CEO Misako Abe, as well as colleagues Jun Iwata and Jun Kamiya. Shoji Toyofuku (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics), representing the EBC IVD & Medical Equipment Committee, also joined the meeting.

The conversation focused on the transformation of the healthcare sector, with particular attention to the growing role of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in diagnostics, patient care, and hospital management. The discussion underscored the importance of robust data protection and regulatory clarity to enable innovation while ensuring patient trust and system resilience.

This exchange reflects the EBC’s role as a platform connecting industry leaders and policymakers, facilitating forward-looking dialogue on how regulatory frameworks can keep pace with rapid technological change in healthcare.

Also on 19 February, the EBC HR Committee convened its latest meeting hosted by Yusuke Nishino at Randstad Japan. The session provided an in-depth discussion on evolving workplace dynamics, based on the findings of the Randstad Workmonitor Survey 2026.

Key insights included:
-A persistent managerial trust gap in Japan compared with global trends
-More cautious economic expectations among Japanese employees
-The need to reframe the narrative around AI from risk to opportunity

The discussion highlighted how companies in Japan must address workforce expectations, strengthen managerial trust, and implement AI in a way that empowers employees.

By bringing together HR leaders from member companies, the EBC contributes to shaping best practices that support talent retention, productivity, and sustainable organisational transformation.

On 20 February, the Government Relations Committee of the European Business Council in Japan reviewed Japan’s latest political developments following the parliamentary election that delivered a supermajority to the Liberal Democratic Party led by Sanae Takaichi. Members discussed the implications of a more centralised policymaking environment, as well as possible future transparency measures related to foreign influence and lobbying activities, which could shape the advocacy landscape for European companies.

Through these exchanges, the Government Relations Committee continues to equip members with forward-looking political and regulatory intelligence, enabling them to anticipate policy shifts and engage constructively with Japanese stakeholders in a rapidly evolving governance environment.

Tractus is a pan-Asian business strategy firm that assists companies determine where to invest, how to enter new markets, and how to grow effectively. With 30 years of experience and 15 offices across Asia, Oceania, and the U.S., we turn strategy into action. In Japan, we operate out of Tokyo and Kobe with a dedicated local team supporting European companies looking to enter or expand in the Japanese market. Our services cover market entry, site selection, and M&A advisory as well as investment promotion, including our current mandate representing the State of Baden-Württemberg, Germany for FDI attraction. Through our Business Inc.ubator®, we offer European companies a low-cost, low-risk way to test Asian markets without the need to establish a legal entity. We bundle workspace, administrative support, HR assistance, expense management, and strategic guidance to help companies build a local presence and validate market opportunity before committing to full operations.