| Dear Friends of the EBC,
On 12 September, the European Business Council in Japan (EBC) and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan ‘s Sustainability Committees organised a seminar on The Sustainability Imperative: Decarbonization & Nature Restoration for a Resilient Future. Yuriko Iwasaki (Unilever), Jun Suzuki (L’Oréal) and Hirotaka Hideshima (Norinchukin Bank) gave their valuable insights into the growing corporate focus on biodiversity and nature loss. On the second panel on decarbonization, Tom Walsh (RWE), Hisafumi Manabe (Marubeni Offshore Wind) and Minako Wakabayashi (Orrick Law Office) shared progress and challenges in Japan’s offshore wind sector and how European companies can make a contribution. A big thank you from the EBC Sustainability Committee to CCIFJ, AHK Japan, ACCJ and Societe Generale for all the support in making this event possible! |
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On 17 September, the EBC Sustainability and Social Responsibility Committee hosted a speaker event focusing on the Green Transformation, commonly referred to as GX.
Chisaki Watanabe of Climate Integrate gave an insightful presentation on Japan’s policies to green its economy. She discussed not only the policies Japan has implemented, but also the strategies it plans to promote in the future. A total of ¥150 trillion will be invested over ten years to support the transition to a greener economy, with ¥20 trillion coming from the government and ¥120 trillion from the private sector.
The second speaker, Raphael Soffer of Client Earth, an organisation that promotes climate action through legal reform, addressed the energy dilemma and Japan’s role in global emissions. He pointed out that Japan is one of the highest carbon emitters per capita and noted that many of the working and expert groups established by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) do not meet the government’s own guidelines for the establishment of advisory groups.
The Committee would like to thank both speakers for their engaging and thought-provoking presentations. The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for 17 December.
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| EBC Automotive Components and Aftermarket Committee event, in cooperation with McKinsey
On 27 September, join us for an EBC working session where McKinsey & Company will take us on a journey towards “Unlocking the Potential of Generative AI in the Automotive Industry”: Their team will take stock of where we are today, share the latest best practices, and explore the key factors for successfully implementing Generative AI in the automotive industry.
Limited seats; secure your spot today and join us for the networking dinner at Ruby Jack’s afterwards. |
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| Preferential seating for industry experts and members of the EBC, EU Chambers and the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan. |
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| On 17 October at 16:00 at the EU Delegation in Hiroo, the EBC Automotive Components Committee, in cooperation with the German Chamber of Commerce, the EU Delegation and the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, is proud to present the Second Digital Automotive Summit.
Building on the resounding success of last year’s event, this year’s event promises even more insightful discussions and networking opportunities. Expect to hear from industry giants such as TDK, the European Commission, Tier IV and Daimler Trucks, with exciting prospects of participation from the Japanese government. Our esteemed speakers will explore the transformative impact of AI on the automotive industry and its future.
Stay tuned for more details, but don’t wait – secure your place today for what is sure to be a must-attend event for automotive professionals. |
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| On 8 October, the first-ever G7 Chambers of Commerce and Industry Networking Event will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel, Osaka – in the heart of the region set to host the World Expo 2025! This is your exclusive chance to connect with top business leaders and Chamber of Commerce representatives from across Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Osaka, the UK, the US, and Europe. Mark your calendars and register through your national Chamber of Commerce! |
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Save the Date! The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan, in collaboration with the French Embassy in Japan, presents the 7th Annual Business Summit.
This year’s theme: Inventing a Better Future in a Changing World
Join international experts and leaders for a full day of insightful talks, networking, and discussions on the transformations shaping France and Japan, discover strategies for global success through innovation, research, and partnerships.We look forward to connecting with you soon!
Valerie Moschetti
EBC Chief Operating Officer
For more updates and information, please visit our website. |
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- The Japanese government should offer free passports to 18-year-olds who have legally become adults to motivate more young people to travel abroad, the head of a travel industry group said in a recent interview with Kyodo News. Citing that just around 17 percent of Japanese citizens had a passport as of 2023, Hiroyuki Takahashi, chairman of the Japan Association of Travel Agents, expressed concern that “opportunities for youth to travel abroad have been greatly reduced.” (Kyodo News+)
- There are only 13 female chief executive officers across the approximately 1,600 top-listed companies in Japan, a survey by Kyodo News showed Monday, demonstrating that the Asian country is still slow to increase diversity among its corporate decision-makers. The results revealed that female leaders head just 0.8 percent of the 1,643 listed firms on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s top-tier Prime Market, based on investigations of fiscal 2023 financial statements released by the end of August. (The Mainichi)
- Japan is planning to extend My Number identification card integration to driver’s licenses from March under the revised road traffic law, the National Police Agency said Thursday. The storage of driver’s license information on the IC chips on My Number cards, to be offered from March 24, will simplify procedures when changing names and addresses. People who have driver’s license information stored on My Number cards will pay a lower fee for renewal of their licenses. (Japan Today)
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Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings |
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| Date |
Committee |
Time / Location |
| Sep 19 (Thu) |
Human Resources |
Hybrid
0930~ |
| Sep 19 (Thu) |
Medical Equipment & Diagnostics |
Off-site
1430~ |
| Sep 25 (Wed) |
Energy |
Hybrid
1330~ |
| Sep 26 (Thu) |
Telecommunications Equipment |
EBC
1000~ |
| Oct 11 (Fri) |
Railways |
Hybrid
1600~ |
| Oct 17 (Thu) |
Insurance |
Hybrid
0730~ |
| Oct 17 (Thu) |
Human Resources |
Hybrid
0930~ |
| Oct 17 (Thu) |
Medical Equipment & Diagnostics |
Off-site
1430~ |
| Oct 22 (Tue) |
Food & Agriculture |
Hybrid
1700~ |
If you are interested in joining a committee meeting, please contact the EBC to confirm the time and meeting place. |
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