EBC Newsletter – October 18, 2023

October 18, 2023 EBC Newsletter – October 18, 2023

News, Newsletter

 

From the EBC

Dear Friends of the EBC,

On 12 October 2023, the EBC attended the European Joint Chambers Cocktail organised by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan together with other European national Chambers. This traditional gathering of European Chambers is a good way to get to know other businesspeople and to reconnect with old friends in a friendly atmosphere.
On 13 October, the EBC was visited by the Personal Information Protection Commission. They are, as part of their mandate, conducting a review of the current legislation, trying to better understand its impact and how it could be improved. If your company has any inputs or requests in this regard, please feel free to reach out to the EBC.
See this year’s review, (in Japanese) and read the minutes and some documentation from the last committee meeting on the revision (in Japanese).

Since 16 October, JETRO is conducting a “Survey on Business Operations of Foreign-affiliated Companies in Japan“. In addition to further enhancing JETRO’s support services, the survey will be used to make recommendations to the government and central ministries including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Cabinet Office, to improve the business environment in Japan in the future.
JETRO sent the questionnaire by post to your head office, addressing the company’s representative and/or by email if your company participated in the past. If you have not received it, you can request it here. (deadline: Friday 10 November)
NB: The survey is for foreign-affiliated companies, i.e., companies in which a foreign company/investor has a stake. Individual persons are not within the scope of the survey.

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

Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer

What’s in the Media

  • The government plans to establish new legislation that will allow emerging as well as small and midsize companies to obtain loans based on their growth potential, among other factors. The aim is to boost businesses by allowing startups without real estate or other tangible assets to raise funds using their technological capabilities or customer base as collateral. (The Japan News)
  • Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, aiming to enhance a “circular economy” that focuses on recycling and reusing materials, has instructed concerned ministries to boost support for companies in recovering industrial resources such as metals and plastics. Kishida made the demand to Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura and Environment Minister Shintaro Ito earlier this week. (The Japan News)
  • The government decided to prioritize six key sectors, including ride-sharing, in its efforts to digitally transform administrative and financial procedures. A digital administrative and fiscal reform meeting chaired by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held its first discussions on Oct. 11. The government plans to compile an interim report by the end of the year, and necessary measures will be incorporated into the budget for next fiscal year. (The Asahi Shimbun)

Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings

Date Committee Time / Location
Oct 19 (Thu) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Off-site
1430~
Oct 20 (Fri) Railways hybrid
1600~
Oct 26 (Thu) Human Resources hybrid
0930~
Oct 26 (Thu) Automotive Components & Aftermarket Off-site
1600~
Nov 2 (Thu) Railways hybrid
1600~
Nov 15 (Wed) Logistics & Freight hybrid
0900
Nov 16 (Thu) Human Resources hybrid
0930~
Nov 16 (Thu) Medical Equipment & Diagnostics Off-site
1430~
Nov 16 (Thu) Automotive Components & Aftermarket TBC

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/