EBC Newsletter – February 14, 2024

EBC Newsletter – February 14, 2024

 

From the EBC

Dear Friends of the EBC,

 

The EBC Logistics & Freight Committee will convene on February 29th at 09:30 at the EBC office.

This committee has explored various critical topics over the years, such as customs issues, quarantine regulations, labour shortages, digitalisation, and the implementation of non-paper solutions. Recently, we have also tackled the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly its impact on the volatile shipping sector.

If your company is involved in logistics and freight handling, whether as a logistics supplier or as an importing/exporting/distributing entity, we invite you to join us. This meeting offers a valuable opportunity for networking and collaboration within the logistics domain. Perhaps your company has a logistics or shipping manager who would benefit from networking with other industry experts!

If you are interested in participating, please contact us by sending an email to [email protected]. We are looking forward to hearing from you.

 

Another active group is the HR Committee, which will meet on 22 February at 09:30 at the EBC office. It is composed of HR representatives from various EBC companies. If you are a member of any of the European national chambers in Japan and are interested in learning more about HR challenges and regulations, this committee is for you.

To join and contribute to enriching discussions, please express your interest by sending an email to [email protected]. Your participation is crucial, especially considering the current labour shortage in Japan and the proactive efforts by the Japanese Government to boost salaries. These pressing issues provide ample material for meaningful deliberations within the committee.

 

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

 

Valerie Moschetti

EBC Chief Operating Officer

What’s in the Media

  • The Japanese government has taken a significant step towards expanding employment insurance coverage by approving an amendment to the Employment Insurance Act that aims to lower the required working hours for eligibility, making it easier for part-time workers to join the insurance system. Under the current system, to qualify for employment insurance, one must work at least 20 hours a week. However, with the proposed amendment, this threshold will be relaxed to just 10 hours a week. (News on Japan)
  • Starting in April, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has compiled a draft operational policy for the introduction of “ridesharing,” where private drivers use their own vehicles to transport passengers for a fee. Under the proposed policy, the destination and fare would be confirmed at the time of reservation, with payments to be made cashlessly. Taxi companies, which will manage the operations, will be required to monitor the working conditions of drivers. (News on Japan)
  • The government plans to revise two logistics-related laws in a bid to address the so-called 2024 logistics problem, or an anticipated shortage of truck drivers and a decline in transportation capacity. The revised laws will require shippers to formulate specific plans to reduce the waiting time for cargo to be loaded or unloaded, according to the outline of the bills. With the revised laws, the government aims to make the multiple subcontractor structure of the logistics industry more visible and improve the low wages of truck drivers. (The Japan News)

Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings

Date Committee Time / Location
Feb 20 (Tue) Sustainability & Social Responsibility Hybrid
0900~
Feb 20 (Tue) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Off-site
1430~
Feb 22 (Thu) Human Resources Hybrid
0930~
Feb 29 (Thu) Logistics & Freight Hybrid
0930~
Mar 1 (Fri) Liquor Hybrid
0830~
Mar 1 (Fri) Railways Hybrid
1600~
Mar 11 (Mon) Materials Hybrid
1730~
Mar 19 (Tue) Food & Agriculture Hybrid
1700~
Mar 21 (Thu) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Off-site
1430~
Mar 28 (Thu) Insurance Hybrid
0730~
Mar 28 (Thu) Human Resources Hybrid
0930~
Mar 28 (Thu) Telecommunications Equipment On-line
1000~

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

Stakeholders of the EBC:

European Business Council JAPAN
Toranomon Hills Business Tower 15F, 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-6415
105-6415 東京都港区虎ノ門1-17-1 虎ノ門ヒルズビジネスタワー15階
www.ebc-jp.com/