EBC Newsletter – October 7, 2026

On 30 September, the EBC Digital Committee and the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (AHK Japan), with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Japan, held the symposium “Beyond the Hype – Making AI Work” at Europa House in Tokyo.

The central question was a timely one: how can companies move beyond AI experimentation and turn the technology into sustainable business value?

European and Japanese business leaders and experts discussed AI adoption and governance, the respective EU and Japanese regulatory frameworks, responsible AI and risk management, as well as practical applications in sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals and automotive to logistics, HR and technology.

The executive panel, “What Can Europe and Japan Learn From Each Other in AI Adoption?”, highlighted an important point: while European and Japanese companies face many similar challenges, differences in regulation, corporate culture and approaches to risk can influence how quickly AI moves from experimentation to large-scale deployment.

The discussion underlined the value of learning from each other rather than developing AI strategies in isolation, particularly as companies seek to reconcile innovation with governance, security and trust.

The EBC warmly thanks all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions, and the Delegation of the European Union to Japan for its support and for hosting the event at Europa House. Special thanks go to Peter Fatelnig and to Felix von Helden, Co-Chair of the EBC Digital Committee, for his leadership in making the event possible.

On 5 October, the EBC was pleased to meet with Dr Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, during his visit to Tokyo. The meeting brought together H.E. Yannis Michaelides, Ambassador of Cyprus to Japan; H.E. Olga Kliamaki, Ambassador of Greece to Japan; Tony Andriotis, President of the Greek Chamber of Commerce, also representing Cypriot businesses; Michael Mroczek, President of the Swiss Chamber and former EBC Board President; and Christos Makiyama, venture developer, angel investor and tech ecosystem strategist focused on connecting deep-tech ecosystems in Japan and Europe.

The EBC presented its work to support European companies operating in Japan and address non-tariff barriers, while exchanging views on the current business environment and the challenges facing European companies. Japan is an important market for European businesses, and maintaining an open dialogue with Japanese authorities and stakeholders is essential to ensuring that European companies can compete and grow in a fair, transparent and predictable business environment.

The discussion also highlighted the potential to further develop Cyprus-Japan economic relations, including in the maritime sector, where both countries have established economic links and areas of common interest.

The meeting was a valuable opportunity to exchange perspectives and explore how stronger engagement can contribute to closer Cyprus-Japan and EU-Japan economic ties.

Note that McKinsey retains the right to limit the participation to companies directly involved in the auto industry.

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) will organise a joint event, “Strengthening Cooperation Against Online Counterfeiting and Fraudulent Advertising: From Detection to Enforcement,” on 26 October at the Delegation of the European Union to Japan.

As counterfeiting increasingly moves online, enforcement authorities, platforms and rights holders face a common challenge: how to identify infringements quickly and ensure that action can be taken across borders.
The event will bring together public authorities, digital platforms, industry and rights holders to discuss practical approaches to online IP enforcement, including:

• the impact of fraudulent advertising on social media and e-commerce;
• how organised crime exploits digital platforms;
• tracking the digital supply chain of counterfeit goods;
• cooperation between customs, enforcement authorities, platforms and rights holders;
• the use of technological developments, including AI-based detection tools; and
• the importance of trusted data flows and interoperable frameworks for effective cross-border enforcement.

Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
Programme
Registration form 

METI-KANSAI is launching the KANSAI FoodTech Open Platform, an initiative designed to connect companies, universities, research institutions, local governments and overseas partners around the Kansai region’s growing FoodTech ecosystem.

The initiative reflects an increasingly important feature of Japan’s innovation landscape: regional ecosystems are becoming platforms for international collaboration, bringing together businesses, research institutions and public authorities.

The kick-off event will offer opportunities to discover FoodTech developments in Kansai and explore potential partnerships through presentations by overseas organisations, showcases of Kansai-based initiatives, exhibitions and networking sessions.

The platform may be particularly relevant for companies and organisations looking to:

• understand the latest FoodTech developments in Japan and Kansai;
• connect with Japanese companies, universities and research institutions;
• identify partners for joint research or business development;
• explore market-entry opportunities in Japan; and
• better understand the Kansai FoodTech ecosystem.

The event will also be available online, providing an opportunity for European companies outside Japan to discover potential partners and developments in the region.

Registration and event details

As the business environment continues to evolve, effective Europe-Japan cooperation will increasingly depend on turning dialogue into practical outcomes. Whether through regulatory cooperation, technology partnerships, stronger IP enforcement or new business connections, the EBC will continue to work with its members and partners to help European companies navigate the Japanese market and contribute to a more open, predictable and competitive business environment.

We look forward to continuing these discussions and to creating further opportunities for our members and partners in the weeks ahead!

Valerie Moschetti
Chief Operating Officer
European Business Council in Japan

• Japan remained in 12th place in an annual innovation report by the World Intellectual Property Organization this year, trailing South Korea, Singapore and China among major regional economies.  The result leaves Japan well short of the government’s goal of raising the country’s standing to fourth or higher in the Global Innovation Index by 2035 under its intellectual property strategy for 2025. (Kyodo News)
• Japanese research institutions said Thursday they will establish a center to make greenhouse gas data and research findings more accessible to policymakers, businesses and the public to accelerate efforts to tackle global warming. The Japan GHG Center, to be operated by the National Institute for Environmental Studies and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, among others, can provide “one-stop access” to observation data related to greenhouse gases and its analysis that have otherwise been dispersed across government agencies and other institutions in the country, their press release said. (The Mainichi)
• Japan, the United States, Germany and 25 other countries and regions intend to establish a framework of measures regarding steel products exported via third countries, including strengthened monitoring systems, according to sources.  With Chinese steel exports in mind, the framework focuses on collecting and sharing information among relevant countries and regions regarding import pathways and other details. (The Japan News)

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