EBC Newsletter – September 9, 2026

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, together with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the European Patent Office (EPO), is organising a webinar for Japanese companies on the fundamentals of intellectual property protection in the EU.

The webinar will introduce practical examples of how companies can protect their brands, designs and technologie swhen expanding into the European market, and how IP protection can help reduce investment risks.

15 September 2026
17:00-18:30 Tokyo time
English with simultaneous Japanese interpretation
Webinar link
Registration

This partner event may be of particular interest to Japanese companies considering or expanding their activities in the EU.

On 9 October in Tokyo, TechBIZKON X: LifeTECH+ will bring together European and Japanese startups, corporates, investors and innovation stakeholders to explore the latest opportunities in LifeTech and technologies for a better quality of life.

The event will showcase 30+ startups from Austria, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Japan, with a focus on Health & Wellbeing, MedTech, Biotech, AgeTech, CareTech, pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, disability inclusion and digital innovation. Participants will have opportunities to discover new solutions, meet potential business partners and investors, and engage in 1-to-1 meetings with startups.

📅 9 October 2026
📍 Tokyo Innovation Base (TiB), Yurakucho
🤝 B2B meetings, startup pitches, panel discussion and networking

For EBC members interested in LifeTech, innovation, investment or European–Japanese business partnerships, this is a valuable opportunity to connect with emerging technologies and potential partners.

Learn more and register for TechBIZKON X: LifeTECH+

As we enter the new business season, the EBC will continue to focus on the priorities that matter most to European companies operating in Japan, while ensuring that their perspectives are heard by the relevant Japanese authorities and institutions.

We look forward to a busy autumn and to working closely with our members and partners on the opportunities and challenges ahead!

Valerie Moschetti
Chief Operating Officer
European Business Council in Japan

• Japan’s financial watchdog plans to step up monitoring of overseas operations at major financial institutions, according to a draft of its annual financial administration policy obtained Saturday.  The move by the Financial Services Agency reflects difficulties in grasping the overall operations of large financial groups as they expand internationally, according to sources familiar with the matter. (The Mainichi)
• The labor ministry revealed plans on Monday to review the calculation method to determine the percentage of employees with disabilities a company is legally required to have. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry is leaning toward tightening the definition of people with disabilities who are keen to work, which, if realized, likely would slow the pace at which the statutory employment rate had been increasing. (The Japan News)
• Japan will ease overtime regulations starting Tuesday in a move meant to help spur economic growth but criticized as a relapse into the country’s ingrained workaholic culture. The move comes after the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi — a self-proclaimed workaholic — adopted a growth strategy in July calling for revisions to the current oversight of work hours. (Japan Today)

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