EBC ニュースレター 2026年3月11日

EBC ニュースレター 2026年3月11日

 

From the EBC

Dear Friends of the EBC,

Over the past week, the European Business Council in Japan has continued to engage with partners and stakeholders to support dialogue on key societal and policy issues shaping the future of our economies. From discussions on inclusive leadership to upcoming opportunities for policy exchange, the EBC remains committed to fostering constructive conversations that strengthen the EU-Japan partnership and support a competitive, forward-looking business environment.

International Women’s Day 2026 – Women Shaping Politics

On 4 March, the EBC attended the International Women’s Day Seminar held at the Delegation of the European Union to Japan and co-organised with the UN Women Japan Liaison Office.

The seminar explored the theme: “Towards a Future Where Women Shape Politics: Japan’s Current Situation and Insights from the Nordics.” The event brought together policymakers, diplomats, and experts to examine practical pathways for strengthening women’s representation in political leadership.

Key highlights from the discussion included:

  • An in-depth analysis of Japan’s current “talent pipeline,” from local councils to national leadership
  • Valuable insights from Nordic countries, where structural reforms have significantly increased women’s political participation
  • The importance of systemic change, including party structures, institutional support, and work-life balance policies
  • The connection between inclusive governance and stronger, more resilient societies

The discussions underscored that improving gender balance in political leadership requires long-term structural efforts, but also delivers tangible benefits for governance and economic resilience.

At the EBC, we believe that greater diversity in leadership contributes to more sustainable institutions and a stronger economic environment. Inclusive governance is not only a societal objective, it is also a driver of economic performance and innovation.

Our sincere thanks to the organisers and speakers for facilitating such a timely and substantive exchange.

Upcoming EBC Government Relations Committee Meeting

The EBC Government Relations Committee will hold its next meeting on 7 April from 12:30 at the EBC offices in Toranomon Hills Business Tower.

This committee provides a platform for members to exchange views on the policy and regulatory environment affecting European business in Japan. Discussions also help identify key advocacy priorities and opportunities for engagement with Japanese authorities and other stakeholders.
Companies with European interests that would like to attend are kindly invited to register by contacting [email protected].

Through events, committee discussions, and engagement with policymakers and partner organisations, the EBC continues to provide a platform for European businesses to share expertise, address common challenges, and contribute to shaping a dynamic EU-Japan business environment.

The EBC is delighted to welcome our new intern, Ryoma, who will be contributing to our work until the end of July :
Salut!!! My name is Ryoma and I’m a fourth-year undergraduate student at Sciences Po Paris and Keio University, majoring in Economics and International Trade. Born in Tokyo, I was raised in the Netherlands and Australia, where I developed a love for traveling and football (or soccer, depending on where you’re from), as well as a strong interest in different cultures and international politics. Growing up in such an international environment has shaped me into the adventurous person that I am today, and I hope to bring that mindset to the EBC as an intern, where I’ll be supporting in market research, outreach, and marketing activities for the EBC. I am very excited to join the team and contribute by using my linguistic skills and experience working across both Japan and Europe to help strengthen the relationship between Japan and Europe at a time when economic cooperation is more important than ever. I look forward to learning and contributing to the EBC’s work in the months ahead!!

We look forward to welcoming members to upcoming meetings and continuing our collective efforts to strengthen cooperation between Europe and Japan.

Valerie Moschetti
Chief Operating Officer
European Business Council in Japan

What’s in the Media

  • The government will unveil a policy for achieving a global market share of over 30% in the production of artificial intelligence robots by 2040 at the Japan Growth Strategy Council, chaired by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, to be held as early as Tuesday. The government plans to select 61 priority products and technologies out of the “17 strategic fields” designated for intensive private-public investment. Japan aims to gain an advantage in areas such as AI robots, semiconductors and small unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAVs). It will focus on accelerating investment in these areas. (The Japan News)
  • The pace of closing the gender pay gap among full-time workers in Japan slowed in 2024, with the increase in the ratio of women in managerial positions remaining stalled, according to a recent Kyodo News survey. On an index with men set at 100, average monthly wages for women stood at 75.8, meaning the gap improved by just 1.5 points from five years earlier, according to an analysis of data from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, nearly 40 years after the country implemented a law to ensure equal opportunity and treatment between men and women in employment. (Kyodo News)
  • The government has compiled new draft measures to prevent technology leakage, in an effort to improve economic security in connection with state-supported research and development programs, it has been learned. The measures will mandate advance consultation and reporting to the government if it is determined that a partner in a collaborative research or development program is under the influence of a foreign government and there is a risk of research details or other information being leaked. (The Japan News)

Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings

Date Committee Time / Location
March 18 (Wednesday) Materials Hybrid
1730~
March 19 (Thursday) Insurance Hybrid
0800~
March 19 (Thursday) Telecommunications Equipment Hybrid
1000~
March 19 (Thursday) Energy Hybrid
1330~
March 19 (Thursday) Medical Equipment & IVD Hybrid
1430~
March 26 (Thursday) Railways Hybrid
1600~
April 2 (Thursday) Food & Agriculture Hybrid
0930~
April 7 (Tuesday) Digital Hybrid
0800~
April 7 (Tuesday) Government Relations Hybrid
1230~
April 9 (Thursday) Liquor Hybrid
0830~
April 16 (Thursday) Railways Hybrid
1600~
April 23 (Thursday) Medical Equipment & IVD Hybrid
1430~

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

Stakeholders of the EBC:

European Business Council JAPAN
Toranomon Hills Business Tower 15F, 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-6415
105-6415 東京都港区虎ノ門1-17-1 虎ノ門ヒルズビジネスタワー15階
www.ebc-jp.com/