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| Dear Friends of the EBC, As summer draws to a close, the EBC continues to connect European and Japanese stakeholders through policy dialogue, sectoral expertise and business engagement. This week, we highlight exchanges with European policymakers, Japan’s diplomatic representatives in Europe, and the next generation, alongside sector-focused initiatives in healthcare and railway cybersecurity. We also share a new publication on the global automotive industry, welcome a new EBC member, and highlight an upcoming seminar on employment and workforce management in Japan. |
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| EBC Welcomes European Parliament Delegation On 22 July, the EBC welcomed a high-level delegation from the European People’s Party (EPP) Group in the European Parliament, led by François-Xavier Bellamy, Vice Chair of the EPP Group. The delegation included Members of the European Parliament with key responsibilities covering industry, trade, economic affairs, security, constitutional affairs and relations with Japan. Discussions focused on the business and investment climate for European companies in Japan, regulatory and market-access challenges, and opportunities to deepen EU-Japan economic cooperation. The exchange provided a valuable opportunity to share practical, on-the-ground perspectives with European policymakers and contribute to a stronger, more open and resilient EU-Japan economic relationship. |  |
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| Medical Equipment & IVD Committee Explores the Future of Healthcare On 5 August, the EBC Medical Equipment & IVD Committee held a lecture and networking session at Kudan Kaikan Terrace, bringing together more than 110 participants. The programme featured Ms. Ayano Kunimitsu, Dr. Hisataka Anesaki of Kobe University, and Dr. Kenji Shibuya of Medical Excellence JAPAN (MEJ). Discussions covered healthcare innovation, real-world data (RWD), AI, patient-centred care and international collaboration. Speakers explored the shift towards prevention and healthy life expectancy, the use of data and AI to visualise patient journeys, and opportunities to develop integrated healthcare solutions and expand across the Indo-Pacific. The event concluded with a networking session involving representatives from MHLW, METI, the Cabinet Office, PMDA, embassies and industry, fostering valuable dialogue between policymakers and the private sector. | | 
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| EBC Meets Ambassador of Japan to France On 25 August in Paris, the EBC met H.E. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to France, Asagi MIYOSHI, Counsellor for Economic Affairs, and Yutaro Tsuru, First Secretary for Commercial Affairs, at the Embassy of Japan in France. The meeting provided an opportunity to present the EBC’s role and activities and exchange views on a key question for both sides: how to make it easier for European companies to engage with Japan, and for Japanese companies to succeed in Europe. The discussion explored the experiences of businesses in both markets, including regulatory and market-access challenges as well as examples of successful long-term engagement. Understanding how European and Japanese companies experience each other’s markets is essential to building stronger and more balanced economic partnerships. The EBC will continue to contribute to this dialogue through its advocacy work and efforts to promote a more open and predictable business environment.
The EBC thanks the Embassy of Japan in France for its warm welcome and constructive exchange. | | 
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| EBC Meets Students from Mibu Town On 26 August, the EBC had the pleasure of meeting junior high school students from Mibu Town in Tochigi. The presentation introduced the EBC, Europe and European-Japanese cooperation, while exploring how countries and businesses can work together to address common challenges and create new opportunities. The discussion also highlighted the importance of communication and English as tools for connecting people, ideas and opportunities across borders. The students’ thoughtful questions and curiosity made the exchange particularly rewarding. The EBC was delighted to contribute to broadening their horizons and encouraging interest in Europe and the wider world. | | 
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| Railway Committee Holds 10th Workshop on Cybersecurity The EBC Railway Committee held its 10th Railway Workshop on 28 August, bringing together representatives from major railway operators and leading rolling stock manufacturers in Japan. This year’s workshop focused on cybersecurity, an increasingly important issue as digitalisation and connected systems become more deeply integrated into railway infrastructure, rolling stock and operations. EBC members shared European experience and expertise, covering regulatory and standards developments, cybersecurity products and solutions, and practical examples of incidents affecting the European railway sector and the lessons learned. Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) also presented its initiatives to strengthen railway cybersecurity, enabling participants to compare approaches in Europe and Japan. The workshop was followed by a reception, providing further opportunities for dialogue and cooperation. The EBC thanks all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions, and Bosch Japan for hosting the workshop and reception and for its generous hospitality. | | 
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| Bank of Italy Publishes New Paper on the Global Automotive Sector The EBC is pleased to share a new publication from its member the Bank of Italy’s Occasional Papers series: “The Global Automotive Sector after the Pandemic: Key Questions and Answers.” The paper examines the structural changes reshaping the global automotive industry, including the recovery in demand, the transition to electric mobility, battery and critical-mineral supply chains, and the growing importance of digital technologies and software-defined vehicles. It also examines China’s emergence as the world’s leading producer and exporter of electric vehicles, the resulting changes in global competition, and policy responses by major economies, and the strategies pursued by Japanese and South Korean manufacturers in responding to electrification and technological transformation. Read the Bank of Italy paper |
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| Welcome to Our New Member: Vestas The EBC is delighted to welcome Vestas as a new member. Vestas is a global partner in sustainable energy solutions, designing, manufacturing, installing and servicing onshore and offshore wind turbines worldwide. With more than 201 GW of wind turbines in 88 countries, Vestas has installed more wind power than any other company. Vestas Japan
Headquartered in Tokyo, Vestas Japan operates across 20 site offices nationwide. Since installing its first turbine in Japan in 1993, Vestas has delivered 1.8 GW of wind power capacity, with a further 685 MW under construction, and provides long-term O&M services for 1.2 GW of installed capacity. Through its onshore and offshore wind activities and comprehensive O&M services, Vestas contributes to Japan’s transition towards a sustainable society powered by wind energy. We warmly welcome Vestas to the EBC community! | | 
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| Upcoming: TECC × JETRO Free Seminar on Employment in Japan The Tokyo Employment Consultation Center (TECC) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will hold a free in-person seminar for foreign-affiliated companies on Japanese labour law, employment practices and social insurance. Date & Time: Tuesday, September, 18:30–20:00 (reception from 18:15)
Location: JETRO Innovation Garden, 7F ARK Mori Building, 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo
Language: English
Participation: Free More details
Register here For enquiries, please contact JETRO Innovation Garden at [email protected]. |
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| From high-level policy dialogue to sector-specific expertise, the EBC remains committed to creating opportunities for meaningful exchange between European and Japanese stakeholders. As we move into the second half of the year, we look forward to continuing this work with our members, partners and policymakers to support a stronger, more competitive and sustainable Europe-Japan business relationship.
Thank you for staying connected with the EBC. Valerie Moschetti
Chief Operating Officer
European Business Council in Japan |
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- The government plans to strengthen a program that provides integrated support for important cutting-edge technologies — from research and development to demonstration — in an effort to boost economic security. The government intends to set contributing to overall national security as the new priority goal of the Key and Advanced Technology R&D through Cross Community Collaboration Program, known as the K Program for short. It plans to select target technologies and support methods in a more flexible and diverse manner. The move is also meant to accelerate the development of deposits of rare earths off Minami-Torishima Island, which is administered as part of Tokyo. (The Japan News)
- An institution certified by the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry has launched a system to manage breeders’ rights to prevent new fruit and other plant varieties developed in Japan from leaking overseas. Combined with the revised Plant Variety Protection and Seed Law, enacted this summer to tighten export controls prior to variety registration, the ministry is stepping up efforts to protect brand agricultural products through this two-pronged approach, with the institution handling everything from licensing and monitoring to legal battles on behalf of developers. (The Japan News)
- Japan’s immigration agency said Tuesday that foreigners who meet criteria for financial hardship and humanitarian consideration will be eligible for fee cuts when visa application and renewal charges are hiked from Oct. 1. The guidelines announced by the Immigration Services Agency, however, will likely exclude most asylum seekers as the criteria require them to be recipients of government assistance for those in severe financial hardship. (Japan Today)
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Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings |
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| Date | Committee | Time / Location | | September 3 (Thursday) | Human Resources | Hybrid
0930~ | | September 8 (Tuesday) | Energy | Hybrid
1330~ | | September 10 (Thursday) | Liquor | Hybrid
0830~ | | September 17 (Thursday) | Telecommunications Equipment | Hybrid
1000~ | | September 24 (Thursday) | Food & Agriculture | Hybrid
0930~ | | September 24 (Thursday) | Medical Equipment & IVD | Hybrid
1430~ | | September 30 (Wednesday) | Materials | Hybrid
1730~ | | October 6 (Tuesday) | Digital | Hybrid
0800~ | | October 6 (Tuesday) | Railways | Hybrid
1600~ | | October 22 (Thursday) | Medical Equipment & IVD | Hybrid
1430~ | | October 29 (Thursday) | Insurance | Hybrid
0800~ |
If you are interested in joining a committee meeting, please contact the EBC to confirm the time and meeting place. |
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