Policy Positions

2010

March 2, 2010
EBC Comments on the Japan Postal Reform Preliminary Draft

EBC together with numerous international organisations are of the opinion the Postal Reform Preliminary Draft, if implemented, would be would not be in line with Japan’s international obligations and best practices to provide a level playing field between the Japan Post entities and private banks, insurers, and delivery companies.
Statement – (English | Japanese) PDF

February 10, 2010
New study shows the advantages of an Economic Integration Agreement -EIA

European think-tank, Copenhagen Economics, has conducted a major study for the European Commission on the economic impact both for the EU and Japan of dismantling both tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade under an EU-Japan Economic Integration Agreement.

Article – (English)
Report – (English) PDF

January 29, 2010
The EBC was invited by the State Minister of Postal and Financial affairs, Mr. Shizuka Kamei, to present the EBC's views on postal privatisation. EBC Chairman Tommy Kullberg, Insurance Committee Chairman John Kakinuki, Insurance Committee member Richard Sutton, EBC Executive Director Alison Murray, and Policy Director Bjorn Kongstad, attended the meeting.
Article – (English)

January 20, 2010
The EBC Insurance committee issued a public commentary on Japan Post privatisation to the Postal reform committee at the Cabinet Office.
Statement – (Japanese) PDF

2009

December 25, 2009
The EBC Insurance committee delivered today, December 25, its views on Japan Post privatisation to the Postal reform committee at the Cabinet Office.
Statement – (Japanese) PDF

December 10, 2009
The EBC met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Minister, Mr. Katsuya Okada, to present the 2009 White Paper report on the Japanese business environment. EBC Chairman Tommy Kullberg, Vice Chairman Arno Tomowski, Vice Chairman and Committee Chairmen Representative Duco B. Delgorge, Committee Chairmen Representatives Otto F. Benz and Jean-Louis Claudon, and Executive Director Alison Murray, attended the meeting.
Article – (English)

December 9, 2009
The EBC met with Mrs. Meglena Kuneva, Commissioner for Consumer Protection, at the EBC Office on December 9, 2009. The EBC briefed Commissioner Kuneva on the new Japanese government and discussed key sector issues as well as general EBC policies.
Article – (English)

November 24, 2009
On November 24 2009, the EBC met with Mr. Alan Seatter, Director of North America, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, of Directorate-General for External Relations from the European Commission.
Article – (English)

October 2, 2009
"Economic Survey of Japan 2009"

The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) has just released its 2009 Japan survey report. The EBC Secretariat staff, Banking Committee Chairman, and Medical Equipment Committee Secretariat were interviewed extensively by the OECD research team at the EBC office earlier this year. Visit the OECD website to read the full report.

Website – (English | Japanese)

September 24, 2009
“Comments of the Legal Services Committee of the European Business Council on the interim report of the Foreign Lawyers System Study Group”

The EBC Legal Services Committee issued a public commentary on the interim report of the Foreign Lawyers System Study Group.

Statement – (English | Japanese) PDF

September 7, 2009
“New Start for Japan”
The EBC has issued a commentary on the 2009 Japanese General Election.
Article – (English)

July 6 and 7, 2009

“Joint and Europe-side recommendations for Multilateral and Bilateral Trade & Investment, and Regulatory Cooperation”

A speech made by EBC Chairman, Mr. Tommy Kullberg, at the EU-Japan Business Dialogue Roundtable held in Brussels.
Speech – (English) PDF

Website – EU-Japan Business Round Table _{(@ EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation website)}

June 2, 2009

"Amendment to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law (FIEL)"

The EBC Banking Committee issued a statement urging the Government of Japan to ensure that the proposed amendments of to the Secondary Public Offering Regulation of the FIEL currently discussed in parliament does not undermine the efficiencies of Japan's capital markets.

Statement – (English | Japanese) PDF

May 1, 2009

“EU-Japan Summit: What are we waiting for?”

A joint statement by EUROCHAMBRES and the EUROPEAN BUSINESS COUNCIL in JAPAN (EBC), ahead of the EU-Japan Summit to be held in Prague on Monday, May 4th. This statement has been issued jointly in Europe and Japan.

Joint Statement – (English) PDF