EBC Newsletter – April 15, 2020

Dear Friends of the EBC,

The news is still dominated by the Covid-19 crisis in Japan. This week, the EBC team managed to gather a variety of documents to provide you with a complete array of information for better decision-making in your business.

Vicente J Luna, a digital marketing expert, develops smart-city analytics and has deep knowledge in using data. He is offering you a very interesting analysis of Google data, which brings insights on Japan’s adaptation to Covid-19.

Several European national Chambers of Commerce in Japan are now helping businesses affected by Covid-19 through webinars. We present you a selection for today and the coming days.

Because companies need to plan the future and take advantage of this period to think about new strategies, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation gives you the opportunity to read its latest publication, “Analysis of EU-Japan business cooperation in third countries”, on the drivers, opportunities and challenges of EU-Japan business cooperation in third countries, with examples of concrete case studies.

We wish you a good reading and hope you stay positive and healthy during this difficult and unprecedented time.

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

Vicente J LUNA is a digital marketing expert bridging the gap between public-sector and private-company marketing in Japan.

A few years ago, he was a co-founder of the EBC’s first e-commerce committee and worked with French, German, Spanish and UK clients, for Japanese government organizations and with the EU in Tokyo.

Thanks to an early experience in Japanese real estate, he is developing smart-city analytics for precise locations and competitor benchmarks.

In this presentation tailored to EBC members, he analyzes more general Google data to bring insights on Japan’s adaptation(s) against COVID-19.

You can access his presentation through the following link: “How Japanese society is adapting to COVID-19“.

In the current situation, many European national Chambers of Commerce in Japan are offering webinars focused on supporting businesses affected by the covid-19 crisis:

The COVID-19 Crisis – Hints from a Legal Perspective – April 16, 14:00 – 15:00
http://blccj.or.jp/webinar-the-covid-19-crisis-hints-from-a-legal-perspective/?_=1586745606188&fbclid=IwAR15ymrwnJPPvAAZ_3m4Obrrcbq-YF5tbaBWENT_PwjFm9G4X4m_oxeKLfA

The Japanese Government’s Support Programs for Businesses in Response to COVID-19: What You Need to Know – April 15, 17:00 – 18:00 (event organized by the Norwegian and Danish Chambers of Commerce in Japan)

https://www.dccj.org/events/the-japanese-governments-support-programs-for-businesses-in-response-to-covid-19-what-you-need-to-know

https://www.dccj.org/events/ecn-webinar-what-have-companies-learnt-from-the-covid-19-pandemic

– Finnish Chamber of Commerce
Special Webinar: Financial Support for Business Owners in Japan – April 15, 17:00 – 18:00

https://www.ccifj.or.jp/en/events/upcoming-events/event-details/event/webinar-covid-19-understanding-the-steps-and-requirements-to-apply-for-the-employment-adjustment-su.html

– German Chamber of Commerce
Managing virtual and remote teams – April 15, 15:00 – 16:00
https://japan.ahk.de/en/events/coming-events/event-details-en/webinar-managing-virtual-and-remote-teams

– Italian Chamber of Commerce
Brand Communications in Times of Crisis: Best Practices – April 16, 18:30 – 20:00
https://www.iccj.or.jp/en/content/brand-communication-times-crisis-best-practices

– Norwegian Chamber of Commerce
Responding to the Pandemic: What have companies learned from Covid-19? – April 17, 8:30 – 9:30
https://www.norwegianchamber.com/events/2020/04/10/webinarevents/theeconomist

– Swiss Chamber of Commerce
Free Webinars by IMD business school – Recordings are available
https://www.sccij.jp/events/free-webinars-by-imd-business-school/

– Spanish Chamber of Commerce 
Online CEO round table Discussion – April 15, 17:30 – 18:30
https://spanishchamber.jp/event/online-ceo-round-table-discussion/
Asia – Pacific Regional Economic Outlook – COVID-19 – April 21, 18:00 – 19:30
https://spanishchamber.jp/event/asia-pacific-regional-economic-outlook-covid-19/
After the Pandemic – April 22, 17:00 – 18:00
https://spanishchamber.jp/event/after-the-pandemic/

– Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Special Webinar: Financial Support for Business Owners in Japan – April 15, 17:00 – 18:00 (event organized by the Norwegian and Danish Chambers of Commerce in Japan)
https://www.sccj.org/events/104
Special Webinar: COVID-19 Outbreak in Japan and HR Implications from a Japanese law Perspective – April 16, 14:00 – 15:00 (event organized by Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan in collaboration with The Nordic Chambers of Commerce in Japan)
https://www.sccj.org/events/105

Cooperation between European and Japanese companies in third markets is a growing and promising business trend. For example, a study conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan in 2019 reveals that 69% of German companies in Japan are involved in business activities with Japanese partners outside Japan. Such cooperation builds on complementary strengths in e.g. technologies, market intelligence, financing – notwithstanding historical and cultural ties between several EU member states, or Japan may have in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Even further, it brings positive influence on standards and sustainable development. It is also the backbone of the EU-Japan Connectivity Partnership.

Against this background, the report prepared by Ms. Masami Marbot for the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation in the framework of its Minerva Market and Policy Intelligence Programme analyses the drivers, opportunities and challenges of EU-Japan business cooperation in third countries, via in particular a number of concrete case studies.

Report is here: https://www.eu-japan.eu/sites/default/files/publications/docs/report_masami_marbot_april_2020.pdf

Additional info: Conference organised by the EU-Japan Centre on 3 December 2019 in Tokyo on the same topic:  https://www.eu-japan.eu/events/eu-japan-business-collaborations-third-markets

The European Business Council in Japan specializes in Japanese government relations and public affairs. Among our various services, the EBC White Paper is by far the most important document that we annually produce.

The White Paper is read by not only Japanese authorities, but also by the various European embassies and the EU Delegation. Its recommendations to the Japanese government in 25 economic sectors are a useful tool for European businesses to advocate on various problems they encounter on – or to access to – the Japanese market.

We are therefore hoping that we can get the resources that are needed to print, translate and distribute this White Paper, something that has been done now for 20 years.

We would be very glad if you could support our work on improving better economic relations between the EU and Japan through one of OUR VARIOUS SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMMES.

Thank you in advance for your precious contribution.