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| Dear Friends of the EBC, This week, the EBC continued to strengthen its engagement across the European and Japanese business communities, with a particular focus on investment, economic cooperation, defence and security, and the evolving EU-Japan partnership. We also welcomed opportunities to connect with new partners and exchange views on the business environment in Japan. |
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| Celebrating Slovakia’s National Day in Tokyo The EBC was pleased to join the celebration of Slovakia’s National Day at the EU Delegation in Tokyo on 15 September. The event provided an opportunity to discover Slovakia’s rich cultural heritage and strengthen connections within the European diplomatic and business community in Japan. From a business perspective, Slovakia’s industrial development and its potential to attract further Japanese investment are particularly encouraging. The anticipated investment by Nippon Steel in Slovakia is an important example of the opportunities for deeper Japan-Slovakia economic ties. The EBC looks forward to supporting stronger economic relations between Japan and Europe. |  |
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| Strengthening dialogue on investment and Japan’s growth strategy The EBC participated in the 11th Meeting with the G7 Members’ Chambers of Commerce in Japan, bringing together representatives of the G7 business communities and senior Japanese Government officials. Minister Minoru Kiuchi, Minister in Charge of Japan’s Growth Strategy and Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy and Regulatory Reform, opened the meeting with welcome remarks. Discussions focused on Japan’s economic and growth strategies, including the 2026 Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform and Japan’s Growth Strategy. Foreign direct investment was a key topic, with updates from the Cabinet Office and METI on Japan’s 2026 FDI promotion initiatives. The meeting also provided an opportunity for international chambers to share their perspectives on operating in Japan. | | 
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| EBC Annual Defence Stakeholder Meeting On 17 September, the EBC Defence & Security Committee held its annual Defence Stakeholders Meeting, bringing together representatives from the EU Delegation to Japan, DG DEFIS, European Defence Attachés, METI, SJAC and JADI, with the UCCJ Japan-Ukraine (Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan) joining as a special guest. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on recent developments in the defence sector in Europe and Japan and on how to further promote defence industry cooperation between Europe and Japan. Discussions also covered the EU-Japan Defence Industry Dialogue and a potential drone-related cooperation project presented by the Ukrainian Chamber. The meeting highlighted the importance of continued dialogue between government, industry and other stakeholders in both regions. | | 
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| First meeting with EU Ambassador-designate Giorgio Aliberti On 17 September, the EBC management team – Nikolaus Boltze, Valerie Moschetti and Bjorn Kongstad – was pleased to meet Giorgio Aliberti, EU Ambassador-designate to Japan, at the EU Delegation, together with his colleagues Adeline Hinderer and Lucian Cernat, for the Ambassador-designate’s first meeting with the EBC. It was an opportunity to present the EBC, its role and priorities, and to share the European business community’s perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing European companies in Japan. Discussions also explored how closer cooperation between the EU Delegation and the European business community can further strengthen the EU-Japan partnership, including in trade and investment, economic security, digital transformation, the green transition, defence and security. | | 
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| Nordic Business & Design Evening The EBC was delighted to join the Nordic Business & Design Evening on 17 September at Tokyo Midtown Hall in Roppongi, organised with the support of the Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan, one of the EBC’s 17 stakeholders. The event brought together Nordic and Japanese business leaders, embassy representatives, designers and partners for an exchange on innovation, design and doing business in Japan. The programme featured presentations by Pekka Tarkka, Director & Team Leader at Mercuri Urval Japan, and Professor Katsuhiko Yoshikawa of Shizenkan University, followed by a panel discussion with Suvi Sundquist, Commercial Counsellor & Region Head, Trade Promotion, Northeast Asia at the Embassy of Finland in Japan, and Keita Suzuki, Founder & Creative Director of the Product Design Center. Discussions explored leading change in Japan, globalisation and localisation, and Nordic and Japanese approaches to innovation and design. A charity auction in support of the Japanese Red Cross Society, featuring Nordic design items from Royal Copenhagen, Georg Jensen, Iittala, Arabia and Moomin, was another highlight of the evening. | | 
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| Stakeholder Event: Business Intelligence in the Era of Artificial Intelligence The French Chamber of Commerce in Japan will host an exclusive seminar exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping business intelligence and strategic decision-making. Jacques Beltran, Deputy CEO of ADIT, will discuss how AI and intelligence tools can help organisations anticipate risks, identify opportunities and navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical and business environment. Date: Thursday 8 October 2026, 6:30 PM–8:30 PM
Location: L’Espace@CCIFJ, Nihonbashi Honcho, Tokyo
Price: Members JPY 4,600 / Non-members JPY 9,000
Registration |
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| EU-Japan Centre launches new “Invest in EU” newsletter The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation has launched a new monthly newsletter in Japanese and English aimed at Japanese companies considering investment and business expansion in Europe. The first edition, for September 2026, provides practical information on EU industrial policies and regulations, investment support schemes, Japanese investment projects in the EU and relevant events. The initiative comes as EU-Japan economic relations deepen and interest in Japanese investment and cooperation with European partners continues to grow. The Japanese and English editions are available online, with subscriptions open for future editions: https://www.eu-japan.eu/ja/invest-eu-hub |
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As the EBC enters the autumn period, we will continue to focus on strengthening the EU-Japan business relationship, supporting European companies in Japan and creating opportunities for dialogue with policymakers and stakeholders. From investment and growth strategy to defence, innovation and the green and digital transitions, this week’s activities reflect the breadth of issues shaping the business environment in Japan, and the importance of continued engagement across the European business community. Valerie Moschetti
Chief Operating Officer
European Business Council in Japan |
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- Alcohol tax rates in Japan will change on October 1. Tax rates for beer-like beverages are being unified, which will result in a tax cut of 9.1 yen per 350 ml for beer, while taxes on happoshu (low-malt beer) and “third-category beer” will rise by 7.26 yen. Taxes on chu-hi (shochu highballs) will also increase by 7 yen. Major manufacturers are revising their shipment prices in line with these tax changes, and these adjustments are expected to be reflected in retail prices. This marks the conclusion of the liquor tax reform process that has been implemented in three stages since October 2020. (Japan Today)
- As Japan faces a severe labor shortage in many sectors such as healthcare and manufacturing, more companies are counting on artificial intelligence-driven robots, paving the way for them to play a greater role in the workplace. The Japanese government has set a target of introducing 10 million AI-powered robots by 2040 to deal with the labor shortage caused by the country’s aging and shrinking population. (The Mainichi)
- Japan’s Defense Ministry is mulling setting a target of acquiring some 52,000 unmanned systems, such as drones for long-range attacks and intelligence gathering, over five years from fiscal 2027, sources familiar with the matter said. The plan is part of a preliminary draft of the Defense Buildup Program, one of three key security documents that the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to revise by the end of the year. (Japan Today)
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Upcoming EBC Committee Meetings |
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| Date | Committee | Time / Location | | September 28 (Monday) | Asset Management | Hybrid
0900 | | September 29 (Tuesday) | Materials | Hybrid
1730~ | | October 1 (Thursday) | Government Relations | Hybrid
1300 | | October 6 (Tuesday) | Digital | Hybrid
0800~ | | October 6 (Tuesday) | Railways | Hybrid
1600~ | | October 7 (Wednesday) | Food & Agriculture | Online
1700~~ | | October 22 (Thursday) | Medical Equipment & IVD | Hybrid
1430~ | | October 29 (Thursday) | Insurance | Hybrid
0800~ | | November 5 (Thursday) | Human Resources | Hybrid
0930~ | | November 9 (Monday) | Railways | Hybrid
1600~ | | November 10 (Tuesday) | Digital | Hybrid
0800~ | | November 10 (Tuesday) | Government Relations | Hybrid
1230~ | | November 12 (Thursday) | Liquor | Hybrid
0830~ | | November 26 (Thursday) | Medical Equipment & IVD | Hybrid
1430~ |
If you are interested in joining a committee meeting, please contact the EBC to confirm the time and meeting place. |
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