EBC Newsletter – March 21, 2024

EBC Newsletter – March 21, 2024

 

 

From the EBC

Dear Friends of the EBC,

On 13 March, the EBC, represented by its President Laurent Depus, Valerie Moschetti and Bjorn Kongstad, had the pleasure of meeting the new CEO and President of Nokia Japan, Tetsuo Kamoshita, together with Juha Kolmonen, Head of RAN Docomo Unit and Takayuki Omino, Corporate Officer, Marketing and Communications. The discussions focused on the telecom industry in Japan and developments from both a technical and regulatory perspective.
Nokia, together with Ericsson and Qualcomm, is a member of the EBC Telecom Committee. This committee works closely with the Japanese authorities to create a regulatory framework in Japan that provides an attractive market that allows for technological advancement while ensuring safety and security. The committee has successfully lobbied for the removal of periodic inspections of 5G base stations and for handsets (mobile phones) to be covered by self-verification.
If you would like to join this committee, please contact the EBC!
Takayuki Omino, Juha Kolmonen, Tetsuo Kamoshita, Laurent Depus, Valerie Moschetti and Bjorn Kongstad

On 14 March, the Smart Manufacturing Summit (SMS) by Global Industrie in Aichi Prefecture organized a panel discussion on “How to leverage economic institutions to achieve better results in foreign markets?”
The European Business Council in Japan was invited together with Akiko Tanaka, Chair, Sub-Committee on Innovation at Keidanren and Executive Officer, Deputy Group Executive R&D Headquarters at Canon Inc. and Nikolaus BoltzeThyssenkrupp , Country Representative for Japan, Korea and Australia.
Although there are still barriers between the European and Japanese markets, the EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement, implemented in 2019, has made it much easier to develop trade between the two regions and cooperation between European and Japanese companies. Canon and ThyssenKrupp are good examples.
Thank you to the organizers for this opportunity, and congratulations for the success of the first edition of the SMS!
Akiko Tanaka, Nikolaus Boltze, Valerie Moschetti

I am pleased to share with you the updated version of the East Asia and Pacific Regional Sentiment Report 2023 produced by a number of Chambers belonging to the European Business Organisations Worldwide Network (EBOWWN – the EBC is one of them) which have shared their expertise and data gathered from their advocacy initiatives.
Here are some key highlights:

  • Collaboration Across Borders: The report emphasizes the need for collaboration between governments, stakeholders, and European businesses.
  • Strategic Insights: The report serves as a valuable resource for businesses navigating regulatory landscapes, addressing market-specific challenges, and capitalizing on emerging opportunities.
  • Common agenda focus: Trade and Investment, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations, Digitalization and innovation efforts, trade agreements, and the pursuit of international standards.

This collaborative approach aligns with EBOWWN’s mission of creating a platform for dialogue and cooperation, recognizing that shared efforts are essential for sustained economic growth and global competitiveness.

As you know, the Ireland-Japan Chamber of Commerce (IJCC) organized the ‘Green Ireland Festival’ last week with an incredible lineup of performances, including the world-famous Riverdance Irish dancing group and a special “Irish Bon Odori” in dedication to victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake. The IJCC is holding another crowdfunding campaign this year to raise funding for this year’s festival and future festivals and it is sincerely grateful for any support possible. The crowdfunding campaign is now live and any contributions, big or small, are very much appreciated!!
Crowdfunding information
Donate via Readyfor
Donations are accepted until 31st March 2024.

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 is considering introducing legally binding regulations on developers of large-scale artificial intelligence systems to ensure they implement measures to address disinformation and other risks, sources close to the matter said Monday. (Japan Today)
  • The Japanese government plans to expand the scope of foreign university students eligible for its scholarships from April to provide more academic opportunities to children of the country’s growing number of foreign workers, according to officials. (Kyodo News+)
  • Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Cabinet on March 15 approved a proposal to replace the heavily criticized technical intern training program with a new residence status for foreign workers. A bill will be submitted to the Diet to revise the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law to include the new residence status of “ikusei shuro” (training work). (The Asahi Shimbun)

Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings

Date Committee Time / Location
Mar 21 (Thu) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Off-site
1430~
Mar 22 (Fri) Automotive Components & Aftermarket Off-site
1630~
Mar 28 (Thu) Insurance Hybrid
0730~
Mar 28 (Thu) Human Resources Hybrid
0930~
Mar 28 (Thu) Telecommunications Equipment On-line
1000~
Apr 5 (Fri) Railways Hybrid
1600~
Apr 11 (Thu) Human Resources Hybrid
0930~
Apr 18 (Thu) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Off-site
1430~

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
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www.ebc-jp.com/