EBC Newsletter – April 23, 2025

On 17 April, the EBC had the honour of meeting with a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO).

This influential committee plays a pivotal role in shaping the EU’s future, from institutional reforms and Treaty implementation to enlargement and safeguarding the rule of law across Member States.

During this important exchange:

• The EBC presented its mission and key activities.
• Committee Chairs shared insights from their domains:
  • Stéfan Le Dû: Sustainability
  • Tobias Schiebe: Human Resources
  • Tony Andriotis: Legal Affairs
• The discussion also covered the current state of European business in Japan, highlighting market challenges and opportunities for deeper cooperation.

This dialogue reinforced the value of continued EU-Japan collaboration and the importance of maintaining a strong European voice in global markets.

The EU-Japan Centre is recruiting EU companies to exhibit at its booth and deliver a pitch during the Japan Energy Summit & Conference, taking place from 18–20 June 2025 in Tokyo.

This is a unique opportunity for EU companies, particularly those already operating in Japan, to increase visibility, network, and explore new partnerships in the energy sector.

Link to document for company recruitment

The Manufactured Imports and Investment Promotion Organization (MIPRO) will host an Online Startup Seminar on Tuesday 20 May (14:00–15:30).

Featured speaker Mr. Pascal Gudorf, CEO & Founder of JBI Co. Ltd., Japan Business Insights, will share firsthand experiences from his entrepreneurial journey in Japan.
Topics include:

• Opening a bank account
• Filing paperwork and taxes
• Navigating common startup hurdles

Register here
or email: [email protected]

Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities!

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

• The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry will help key five sectors, such as perovskite solar cells, to achieve international standardization as part of efforts to help their competitiveness in cutting-edge technologies, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. In addition to perovskite solar cells, the ministry has named four sectors that Japan is seen to excel in: quantum, hydrogen and ammonia, bio-manufacturing and data linkage platforms. It has designated these areas as priorities to achieve standardization and will promote their development through partnerships with the private sector. (The Japan News)
• The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry has established a liaison council of both the public and private sectors to accelerate the development of technologies for a next-generation geothermal power system. Japan has numerous volcanoes and thus abundant geothermal heat. Therefore, there are high expectations for this promising source of renewable energy. The government plans to encourage private-sector companies to invest more in the field, with the aim of a new system being put into practical use in the early 2030s. (The Japan News)
• The Japan Atomic Energy Agency said it plans to start producing clean hydrogen using heat from its High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) in Ibaraki Prefecture close to Tokyo by 2028. The agency said it sought authorization to do so on March 27 from the Nuclear Regulation Authority. The project would mark the world’s first use of a nuclear reactor to produce hydrogen. (The Asahi Shimbun)

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