EOB Meeting Notes

Tuesday, November 9, 2004, Chanel Office in Eitai

10:30-12:00

In attendance:

R. Collasse (EBC Chairman)
A. Murray (EBC Executive Director)
C. Sedgman (EBC Policy Director)
A. Zimmermann (Switzerland)
H. Porat (Sweden)
P. Gibb (UK)
G. Schlosser (Germany)
E. Ullner (Finland)
M. Otter (Austria)
T. Henriksen (Denmark)
P. Stalman (Netherlands) - New EOB Member
R. Donck (Belgium/Lux) - Representing D. Delgorge
F. Ziprani (Italy) - Representing M. Fasce
L. Drevet (France) - Representing M. Lachaussee

1. Welcome to new EOB member

1) Welcome to Pieter Stalman, new member of the EOB to the Netherlands replacing P. Elbers

2. Report from the EBC Chairman

1) Mini Government door knock (Nov 8) - R. Collasse, C. Sedgman, Ambassador Zepter and P. Duponteil, Head of the EC Delegation's trade section, visited METI (Vice Minister Kosaka), MOFA (Deputy Minister Fujisaki), and the Cabinet Office (Chief Cabinet Secretary Hosoda) to deliver an "advanced copy" of the EBC White Paper

2) JIC Meeting and Investment Group Lunch (Nov 15) - R. Collasse to give a presentation on the 2004 White Paper at the Japan Investment Council meeting. This will be R. Collasse's first presentation as a full member of the JIC. Immediately following this meeting, R.Collasse will participate in the regular informal Investment Group Lunch with officials of the Japanese Government.

3) Other items -

• Reminder of EBC Cocktail party to be held Dec.15th at the new Chanel Building

• R. Collasse noted his desire to arrange a meeting between PM Koizumi and key CEOs from Europe sometime in 2005. This idea is the result of negotiations with the Cabinet Office concerning the participation of PM Koizumi at EBC events such as the cocktail party on December15th. While PM Koizumi will be unable to attend this party, it was noted that it would likely be possible to arrange a meeting with key European business leaders.

3. Report from the Executive Director

1) White paper launch - A. Murray noted that over 200 people were in attendance at the White Paper launch held Nov.10 at the Westin Hotel in Ebisu. Thanks were extended to the chambers (BCCJ, CCIFJ, DIHJK) for volunteering "helpers" to work at the front desk as well as all of the sponsors who made the production and launch of the White Paper possible. Early press clippings were distributed separately. Many respondents noted the quality of the event, including the new venue, which was obtained for the same price as the previous venue (Keidanren).

2) Result of meeting with Eucomed Director-General (October 20) - Eucomed (association of European medical device manufacturers and associations) visited the EBC to explore ways for further collaboration. Some interest was expressed from Eucomed on becoming a member or a "sponsor" of the EBC, and A.Murray will follow-up with some suggestions concerning payments/deliverables, etc. In return, the EBC Medical Equipment Committee is interested in using Eucomed for information on the current situation in Europe in its negotiations with the Japanese Government.

3) Meeting with PlanetFinance (November 5) - PlanetFinance is an NGO sponsored by the EC and World Bank (amongst others) involved in micro-finance initiatives throughout the world. They are interested in setting up a base in Japan, and in exploring ways in which they could use the resources of the EBC for "outreach". Interest was expressed in sub-letting part of the EBC office. A. Murray to follow-up, with the proviso that EWI may continue its present sub-letting arrangement with priority over PlanetFinance if sufficient advance notice is given before the end of the year.

4) Telecom fundraising - A. Murray noted the importance of promoting Ultracall's promotion scheme, as up to 10% of sales come back to the EBC. Sakamoto-san of Ultracall is willing to tailor packages to meet the needs of individual companies. A. Murray to send out another outreach to members shortly.

4. Report from the Policy Director

1) Report on Committee News and cross-sector policy items from policy director - C. Sedgman reported on current lobbying activities including: pre-paid phones, unregulated kyosai, leather shoes, and protection of personal information.

5. Constitution Vote

1) Final result - Provided separately. The new constitution was approved and will take effect from January 1, 2005. The secretariat will work with the committee chairmen to elect three representatives for the Council, hopefully before the end of the year.

6. Organizational matters

1) Final result of Chairman reaffirmation - Provided separately. R.Collasse has been reconfirmed as Chairman for 2005.

7. 2005 Budget

1) Projected 2005 Budget - Provided separately. Note that the drop in the White Paper cost line item is due to the fact that this item is covered partially by full-time employment of C. Sedgman.

8. Taskforce update

1) Update on last meeting and action plan activity - R. Collasse noted that taskforce meetings are ongoing and various formulae have been suggested concerning the chamber subsidies for next year and the following years. The basic working assumption is that the collective amount of chamber subsidies will not drop below the current level, and that any new "formula" will be phased in over a period of three years. It is hoped that a concrete suggestion concerning chamber subsidies can be presented at the next Council meeting on December15 although further discussion is expected before and after that meeting.

2) Next meeting - the taskforce will next meet on December 13.

9. Other business

1) Lunch with A. Zepter - Lunch is scheduled with Ambassador Zepter with EOBs immediately following the EOB meeting. In addition to A. Zepter, also in attendance will be M. Reiterer, P. Duponteil, T. Naecke, and P. Caridi.