Travel restrictions

Committee:

status:

The EBC fully understands and supports the Japanese government’s efforts to try to stem the spread of Covid-19 among the residents of Japan. However, it cannot be emphasised enough that European firms, as well as Japanese and other non-Japanese firms, have been suffering for months because they have not been able to bring in essential personnel from overseas. This is true both for specialists — such as engineers, researchers, and medical personnel — and for those in top management positions.

Contribution to ”High-quality home medical care” through POCT

Committee:

status:

To build comprehensive community care, it is necessary to enhance home healthcare and strengthen the function of family doctors. Performing a POCT (Point-Of-Care Testing) at home medical care is expected to improve the prognosis of patients through speedier identification of patient conditions and speedier intervention in collaboration with acute care hospitals.

Implementation of Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Process and Speedy Access of required tests by EUA

Committee:

status:

In the event of COVID-19 pandemic, needs of transparent process like EUA were recognized. With such process, clinical tests with certain level of quality and performance can be speedily provided to the public.

Travel restrictions

Committee:

status:

The EBC fully understands and supports the Japanese government’s efforts to try to stem the spread of Covid-19 among the residents of Japan. However, it cannot be emphasised enough that European firms, as well as Japanese and other non-Japanese firms, have been suffering for months because they have not been able to bring in essential personnel from overseas. This is true both for specialists — such as engineers, researchers, and medical personnel — and for those in top management positions.

COVID-19

Committee:

status:

Over a year after its outbreak COVID19 continues to affect the logistics sector. With travel restrictions all over the world, and in particular in Japan, operations are hampered. There is a need for transparent and long-term regulations and guidelines.

Operational Safety Clause (OSC) and public procurement

Committee:

status:

Japan and the EU are both signatories to the WTO’s Plurilateral Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). Despite this, Japan exempts railway procurement from the provisions of the GPA. The EBC understands that the EU-Japan EPA will open up railway related procurement to EU manufacturers no more than one year after the agreement enters into force. The EBC welcomes this and is also pleased that more cities will open up their procurement market to EU suppliers.

Airport infrastructure

Committee:

status:

The EBC encourages the continued opening up of HND airport slots. In addition, improved “on or near airport” facilities, including for catering and cargo are needed. The new air corridor at HND will enable a reduction in fuel consumption through a more direct approach, which will have a positive impact on the environment.

Shoe quotas

Committee:

status:

Yearly status report: progress. With the implementation of the EPA, shoe quotas will be eliminated. In the meantime, management of such quotas is not transparent and allocations are not always awarded to real importers of shoes, leading to significant market distortions.