Digital White Paper – Executive Summary

Executive Summary – EBC 2025 White Paper

The 2025 European Business Council White Paper presents key regulatory developments and ongoing challenges affecting European businesses operating in Japan. This year’s edition underscores the importance of advancing EU-Japan cooperation through greater regulatory alignment, transparency, and mutual recognition.

Key Highlights:

• Legal Services: Meaningful reforms have eased the path for foreign lawyers (gaiben), including streamlined re-registration processes and reduced overseas experience requirements.
• Taxation: The EBC urges Japan to simplify procedures under the new Qualified Invoice System, especially concerning minor cash expenses, to reduce administrative burden.
• Healthcare & IVDs: A major step forward is Japan’s decision to incorporate cost-effectiveness evaluations into its regulatory framework for in vitro diagnostics—aligning with long-standing EBC advocacy.
• Food & Agriculture: Progress continues on mutual recognition of organic animal products. However, concerns remain over the approval timeline for food additives, the short grace period for new food contact regulations, and the availability of English-language resources.
• Liquor: The Japanese government is now considering protection for lot codes on alcoholic beverages, potentially aligning with international standards after years of EBC advocacy.
• Automotive & Materials: As Japan integrates recycled plastics into its industrial policies, the EBC stresses the need for harmonisation with global standards. Recognition of standardised environmental data sheets is also vital to support Japan’s decarbonisation objectives.
• Defence & Space: The EBC calls for enhanced industrial collaboration between Japan and the EU in defence and space sectors, including joint R&D, more flexible export policies, and stronger inter-agency cooperation.
• Airlines: With Japan’s mandate to use 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2030, the EBC raises concerns about supply readiness and calls for a clear, actionable roadmap.
• Railways: Although regulatory barriers persist, the EBC welcomes the move by JR East and JR West to develop joint standards and urges the reactivation of the EU-Japan Technical Expert Group.

Across all sectors, the EBC continues to advocate for fair, predictable, and harmonised regulations that support innovation, sustainability, and deeper EU-Japan economic integration.