EBC Newsletter – April 24, 2024

April 24, 2024 EBC Newsletter – April 24, 2024

News, Newsletter

 

From the EBC

Dear Friends of the EBC,

On 18 April, the EBC Freight and Logistics Committee held a well-attended presentation on the changes to Import of Records. While primarily aimed at e-commerce businesses, there could be an impact on other business activities depending on how the business is set up and how the supply chain is managed. Robert Olson, Chair of the Committee and Partner at PwC, took the audience through various scenarios and both the certainties and uncertainties of the changes.
If you are interested in joining this dynamic committee, please contact the EBC!

Photo: Robert Olson

On 19 April, the EBC was invited to the Austria-Japan Business Conference, also called “AUSTRIA CONNECT Japan 2024”, the bi-annual business conference for leaders of Austrian businesses in Japan. Laurent Depus gave a speech on “Europe’s Business Community in Japan: A Voice for European Business Interests”. He stressed that the core mission of the EBC is to continue to promote a barrier-free business and investment environment, making it less difficult and costly to do business in Japan. He also spoke about the tipping point that Japan has now reached in its multi-years efforts towards economic reform, the irreversibility of that trend and the mutual opportunities for both regions.
The Networking Lunch was a great opportunity to exchange views with Austrian companies and to meet new contacts.

Photo (left): Christina Schösser – Commercial Counsellor, Head of ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Tokyo, Elisabeth Bertagnoli – Ambassador of Austria
Photo (right): Laurent Depus, President of the EBC Board

On 22 April, EBC member companies met with the European Union Intellectual Property Office. The main theme of the meeting was AI and digital, but other topics were covered, such as ecommerce and the sale of similar products on metaverse. Moreover, trademarks and patents were also discussed, as well as the need for multi-market patent applications.

To conclude this newsletter, I would like to share with you the summary results of JETRO’s “Survey on Business Operations of Foreign-affiliated Companies in Japan”.
From October to November 2023, JETRO conducted a survey of foreign-affiliated companies based in Japan. The purpose of this survey is to determine the current status and trends of foreign-affiliated companies based in Japan, the attractiveness and challenges of the business environment in Japan, and the support needed, as well as to prepare data for effective FDI promotion projects and as a reference for improving the business environment and related policies.

The EBC team is looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

What’s in the Media

  • The first German-style vocational program, combining hands-on and classroom learning, was launched in Japan this month by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (AHK Japan), as it aims to train new meisters of auto mechanics. German companies based in Japan have struggled to secure highly skilled staff due to competition with Japanese companies, and AHK Japan is working to make it easier for these companies to acquire such personnel. (The Japan News)
  • Setting its sights on becoming a key player in the global space industry, Japan will set up a 1-trillion-yen ($6.47 billion) fund to achieve that goal. The space strategy fund will be managed by the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency over a 10-year period to support technological innovation by companies and universities. (The Asahi Shimbun)
  • The welfare ministry began preparing for a crucial reform of the pension system scheduled for next year as it comes under pressure from the nation’s graying population and falling birthrate. A ministry council on April 16 discussed scenarios that members will study in a financial verification of the public pension system, which is conducted every five years. (The Asahi Shimbun)

Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings

Date Committee Time / Location
May 8 (Wed) Energy Hybrid
1330~
May 10 (Fri) Railways Hybrid
1600~
May 14 (Tue) Sustainability & Social Responsibility Hybrid
0900~
May 23 (Thu) Human Resources Hybrid
0930~
May 23 (Thu) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Off-site
1430~
June 5 (Wed) Liquor Hybrid
0830~
June 10 (Mon) Materials Hybrid
1730~
June 20 (Thu) Insurance Hybrid
0730~
June 20 (Thu) Human Resources Hybrid
0930~
June 20 (Thu) Telecommunications Equipment Hybrid
1400~
June 21 (Fri Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Off-site
1430~
June 21 (Fri) Railways Hybrid
1600~

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

Stakeholders of the EBC:

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