EBC Newsletter – May 21, 2025

We are thrilled to announce that the UCCJ Japan–Ukraine Chamber of Commerce has officially joined the EBC! With their addition, the EBC now proudly represents 17 European national Chambers of Commerce in Japan, reinforcing our role as a strong and united voice for European business.

We were pleased to welcome Ms. Yanna Dubnikova, Director of Education and Cultural Initiatives, and Ms. Iryna Makovska, Director of Business Development, at their first EBC Board meeting on 16 May. Their presence marked the beginning of what promises to be a fruitful collaboration.
The UCCJ plays a vital role in strengthening business, economic, and cultural relations between Ukraine and Japan, a mission that complements the EBC’s dedication to enhancing European–Japanese business ties.
Learn more about the UCCJ

On 14 May, the EBC met with Sandrine Levasseur, Economist at the OFCE in Paris. Ms. Levasseur specializes in European policy issues including the Green Deal, food sovereignty, and economic convergence across the EU.
The meeting fostered a valuable exchange on current developments in the Japanese and European markets. We also discussed key areas for EU–Japan industrial collaboration, particularly in light of the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, which is generating strong interest among European businesses.

On 15 May, the German Ambassador’s Residence in Tokyo hosted a thought-provoking “Residence Talk” on Women Empowerment in the Workplace and Careers. The event brought together leaders from politics, academia, and business to share ideas on advancing gender equality in leadership.

The EBC was honoured to attend and is proud to contribute through our HR and Sustainability committees, which actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the European business community. Let’s continue to support and champion a more inclusive and equitable future for all!

On 20 May, the EBC attended this event organised by the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation at the EU Delegation’s Europa House in Tokyo. It brought together European and Japanese SMEs, government officials, and industry leaders to explore defence sector cooperation.

Highlights included keynote presentations from ELAC SONAR and SAKANA AI, along with insights from Japan’s ATLA and METI on supporting SME innovation. A series of company pitches showcased cutting-edge technologies, followed by a networking reception that fostered valuable business connections.
The event underscored the growing potential for EU–Japan collaboration in defence and dual-use technologies, driven by the agility and innovation of SMEs.

The Advanced Air Mobility Asia Symposium (AAM Asia) will take place on 16–18 September 2025 at the Aichi Sky Expo in Japan.
This key industry event brings together global experts to explore the fast-growing AAM ecosystem in Asia, including use cases, infrastructure, UTM/ATM, regulations, and more.

With Japan and Korea leading in public AAM demonstrations, the symposium offers a timely platform for EBC company members involved in aerospace, smart mobility, or infrastructure to connect, exchange insights, and explore new business opportunities.

For details and registration, visit https://aam-asia.com/

Valerie Moschetti
EBC COO

• Japan will launch prearrival screening of visa-free travelers in fiscal 2028, as the government aims to boost its booming inbound tourism further, according to the Justice Ministry. The government is looking to raise the efficiency of the process by introducing screening modeled on the United States’ Electronic System for Travel Authorization, the ministry said last month. (Kyodo News+)
• The Japanese government plans to supply gasoline mixed with biofuel in select regions for use by automobiles starting in fiscal 2028, seeking to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the transport sector, sources close to the matter said Monday. The Ministry of Trade, Economy and Industry plans to assess safety and logistics issues related to biofuel use ahead of its full-fledged introduction aimed at fiscal 2030, the sources said. (The Mainichi)
• Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will begin subsidizing the fuel cost for hydrogen fuel cell trucks and buses in six prefectures, Nikkei has learned, with an eye toward promoting their adoption and reducing carbon emissions. The hydrogen subsidy of 700 yen ($4.80) per kilogram is roughly three-quarters of the price difference between hydrogen and diesel fuel. For large fuel cell trucks, the estimated discount is around 21,000 yen per refill. (Nikkei Asia)

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