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Published:
Shelf-life and sustainability
Committee:
Food & Agriculturestatus:
NewWhile this issue is not based on any law or regulation, food products or beverages that do not have at least 2/3 left of the shelf-life when reaching the supermarkets, or any other retail outlet, are difficult to sell. This means that European products that due to distance have to be transported for a relatively longer period of time are more difficult to sell. It is also true for domestic products, that when reaching end of shelf-life are often discarded despite being OK for consumption. This does, unfortunately, lead to food waste. The EBC believe that the authorities have a responsibility to better promote sustainability in the food and beverage sector.
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Published:
Double Materiality Consideration
Committee:
Sustainability & Social Responsibilitystatus:
NewThe concept of double materiality is not fully integrated into sustainability disclosure practices. Japan has adopted the TCFD recommendations and declared support to the new ISSB standards; both frameworks are based on a single materiality approach.
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Published:
Low-Carbon Transition Plans Disclosure
Committee:
Sustainability & Social Responsibilitystatus:
NewWhile companies are improving GHG emissions reporting and engaging in global disclosure frameworks such as CDP and TCFD, concerns persist about weaknesses in low-carbon transition plans supporting the achievement of long-term decarbonization goals.
2024 EBC White Paper Launching event February 29
The EBC attended the European Joint Chambers Cocktail on 12 October 2023
On 4 October, the EBC management met with a delegation of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) / Japan Follow-up Committee.
On 4 October 2023, the EBC attended the reception for the Day of German Unity.
Mr. Nikolaus Boltze, Country Representative of ThyssenKrupp and Chair of the EBC Defence and Security Committee, gives a presentation to a Dutch delegation
The EBC management met Mr. Jens Eskelund, the new President of the European Chamber in China.
Events Calendar
UPDATES
EBC Newsletter – May 15, 2024
From the EBC Dear Friends of the EBC, On 8 May, we attended a conference featuring Mr. Kazuo Ueda, Governor of the Bank of Japan, who gave a speech on the “Virtuous Cycle between Wages and Prices and the Bank of Japan’s Monetary Po
15 May, 2024EBC Newsletter – May 8, 2024
From the EBC Dear Friends of the EBC, On 24 April, the OECD Centre for Responsible Business, Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, visited the EBC thanks to Stéfan Le Dû, Chair of our Sustainability Committee. Froukje Boele, Head o
08 May, 2024EBC Newsletter – April 24, 2024
From the EBC Dear Friends of the EBC, On 18 April, the EBC Freight and Logistics Committee held a well-attended presentation on the changes to Import of Records. While primarily aimed at e-commerce businesses, there could be an impact on other
24 April, 2024EBC Newsletter – April 17, 2024
From the EBC Dear Friends of the EBC, On 5 April, we met Dominic Boucsein, Head of international Trade and Foreign Policy at EuroChambres, the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry based in Brussels. We had a discussion on
17 April, 2024
- 20 September, 2023
- 19 May, 2023
- 22 August, 2022
DIGITAL WHITE PAPER
Kindly sponsored by CHANEL
NEW ISSUES
URGENT ISSUES
RESOLVED ISSUES
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Published:
Malt and quota management system
Committee:
Food & Agriculturestatus:
ResolvedJapan had a tariff quota system for malt even from before the EPA, which introduced a quota for EU origin malt. However, only companies manufacturing beer themselves or importing exclusively for the use of a particular brewery were allowed to apply for a quota, discriminating against traders wishing to import on their own account for selling to multiple customers in small volumes or on short notice. Following multi-year efforts by the EBC and the EU, this was remedied in late 2021, opening the door to importers to provide for a large variety of EU-origin malts even in smaller quantities for the flourishing craft beer market, and for non-brewery users. However, an administrative burden remains, which is unreasonable considering the quota is not fully utilized and all eligible quota applications are being granted.
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Published:
Airport infrastructure
Committee:
Transportation & Communicationsstatus:
ResolvedThe 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.
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Published:
Travel restrictions
Committee:
Cross-Committee Issuesstatus:
ResolvedThe 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.
NEWS FEED
- FAO Environment Director Pushes for Stronger Climate Action; Stresses Potential of Japan’s Agricultural Tech (The Japan News)
- 3 Japanese Carmakers Eye Joint Software Development; Toyota, Honda, Nissan See Benefits in Standardization (The Japan News)
- Japan Begins Review of Basic Energy Plan amid Spread of AI (The Japan News)
- Japan to Formulate New National Strategy for Green Transformation with Target Year of 2040 (The Japan News)
- New Law for Boosting Japan’s Economic Security to Enhance International Collaboration; Impacts on Personnel to be Considered (The Japan News)
- Diet enacts law to create economic security clearance system (Japan Today)
- Revocation of permanent residence status in contention in Japan Diet talks (The Mainichi)
- Japan Launches New Project to Address Gender Pay Gap (News on Japan)
- Japan Post, Seino to team up on deliveries to counter driver shortage (Japan Today)
- Japan’s Commitment to Inclusive Employment Highlighted at OECD (News on Japan)
- Japan Tightens Rules on Student Residency Requirements (News on Japan)
- Keidanren in call to make Japan an ‘AI, robotics powerhouse’ (The Asahi Shimbun)
- Japan, EU to Cooperate in Digital Regulation (The Japan News)
- G7 agrees to phase out coal power by 2035 but gives leeway (Kyodo News+)
- Govt to Launch Searchable Database of Budget Projects; Japan Project Aims to Boost Transparency, Efficiency (The Japan News)
- Japan to Restrict Exports of Civilian Goods Sought by Militaries; Risk Assessment Could Be Mandatory for Sensors, Motors (The Japan News)
- Japan Advances Towards Mass Production of Hydrogen Fuel Trains (News on Japan)
- German-style Vocational Program Launches for First Time in Japan (The Japan News)
- New group sets 2030 deadline for Japan to join nuke ban treaty (The Asahi Shimbun)
- Japan to create a 1-trillion-yen fund to bolster space business (The Asahi Shimbun)
- Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Promotes Revised NISA Investment Program to Young People; Kishida Focusing on Moving Money From Savings to Investment in a Safe Environment (The Japan News)
- Ministry panel starts work for vital reform of pension system (The Asahi Shimbun)
- Japan Govt to Require Opening Up of Smartphone App Stores; Legislation Aimed at Big Tech Giants (The Japan News)
- Japan Mulls Raising National Pension Age to 65 (News on Japan)
- 20% of Japanese ‘functional’ foods have withdrawn labeled health claims: consumer agency (The Mainichi)
- Japan’s FY2022 greenhouse gas emissions hit record low (Japan Today)
- Govt to Set Up Japanese Version of CDC Next April; Aims to Speed Up Response to Infectious Disease Outbreak (The Japan News)
- Japan’s lower house OKs bill to create economic security clearance system (The Mainichi)
- Ride-Sharing Services Start in Tokyo; Kanagawa, Aichi, Kyoto, Others To Follow Suit (The Japan News)
- Govt to Require Overseas Businesses Appoint Supervisors in Japan; Increasing Responsibility for Safety Regulations (The Japan News)
- Business groups heighten push for dual-surname system in Japan (The Asahi Shimbun)
- BOJ cuts view on 7 of 9 regional economies, notes strong wage growth (The Mainichi)
- BIS, 7 major central banks to test new digital currency platform (The Mainichi)
- BOJ might mull rate hike from summer to autumn (The Asahi Shimbun)
Join & Support
EBC members can not only learn about important changes taking place in Japan, but also play a critical role in influencing change themselves.
Some 300 of the over 2,500 affiliated local European companies and individuals participate directly in one or more of the EBC’s 22 industry committees covering a wide variety of economic sectors.