FEATURED NEWS

Public Comment on the Long-Term Decarbonisation Auction Scheme and Support Framework for Offshore Wind

Public Comments on Cabotage Rules Affecting Offshore Wind Developments

EBC Automotive Components Committee event, 18 March

Recommendations for Policy Reform to Streamline Expense Settlement in Japan

PRESS RELEASE: European Business Council Welcomes Reforms to Foreign Lawyer Registration Rules in Japan

The Sustainability Imperative: Decarbonization & Nature Restoration for a Resilient Future (September 12)

Events Calendar

UPDATES

  •   From the EBC Dear Friends of the EBC, The EBC continues to reinforce ties within the European business community in Japan, advance its policy dialogue, and provide its committees with valuable insights. Below is a recap of this past week’s key

    Author ImageYoko
    10 December, 2025

  •     From the EBC Dear Friends of the EBC, As 2025 draws to a close, this past week has been rich in exchange, advocacy, and collaboration. From committee presentations and sector-focused dialogues to high-level conferences and bilateral eng

    Author ImageYoko
    03 December, 2025

  •     From the EBC Dear Friends of the EBC, As part of its mission to strengthen European business interests in Japan, the EBC continues to engage actively with diplomatic partners, expand its policy platforms, and support initiatives that fo

    Author ImageYoko
    26 November, 2025

  • Author ImageYoko
    19 November, 2025

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DIGITAL WHITE PAPER

NEW ISSUES

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Science-Based Sustainability Education for Adults

    Committee:
    Sustainability & Social Responsibility
    status:
    New

    Surveys suggest that public awareness of climate change in Japan is relatively high, and climate denialism is far less prevalent than in some other developed countries. However, this awareness has not translated into widespread behavioral change or strong public pressure for structural reforms. The emphasis on symbolic communication, such as superficial references to the SDGs, risks reinforcing a passive understanding of sustainability across all age groups. There is a particular need to target adults, who hold decision-making power in government, business, and society at large. Given the urgency of the climate and ecological crises, meaningful action cannot wait for future generations to take the lead.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Regulations Against Greenwashing

    Committee:
    Sustainability & Social Responsibility
    status:
    New

    As interest in ESG and sustainability grows in Japan, so does the risk of greenwashing, where companies make misleading claims about the environmental impact of their products, services, or strategies. In the absence of clear legal definitions and active enforcement, misleading claims can persist unchallenged, eroding public trust and confusing both consumers and investors. Civil society groups have raised concerns that the current advertising oversight mechanisms in Japan are not equipped to respond effectively to such issues, with some complaints remaining unanswered for extended periods. This highlights the need for a more robust and transparent regulatory framework.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Consumer Awareness for Sustainable Food

    Committee:
    Sustainability & Social Responsibility
    status:
    New

    Consumer demand for sustainable food products in Japan remains relatively low compared to Europe. Despite growing awareness of environmental issues, sustainability considerations are still limited in everyday food purchasing decisions. This gap is driven by a lack of clear labeling, limited public communication, and weak differentiation in the marketplace.

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URGENT ISSUES

No Issue found.

RESOLVED ISSUES

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Temporary in-activation of gaiben licence

    Committee:
    Legal Services
    status:
    Resolved

    With the increased use of secondments within the legal services field, it is not uncommon that registered gaiben temporarily leave Japan and then come back to again practise foreign law in Japan. For a domestic lawyer it is possible to either (1) continue paying their bar membership fees while remaining on the bar rolls with their original registration number or (2) stop paying fees whilst temporarily suspending their license only to re-activate it when returning to Japan through a simple application process. This is not possible for a gaiben. The only thing possible for a gaiben is to re-apply from scratch. The EBC sees no reason for this blatant discrimination of foreign lawyers.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Branches

    Committee:
    Legal Services
    status:
    Resolved

    Legislation was finally passed in 2014, permitting a gaiben law firm to incorporate  as a hojin, and thereby become eligible to open more than one branch. However, the 2014 legislation did not permit gaiben and bengoshi together to establish a hojin. The effect is to severely limit the usefulness of the 2014 legislation. We understand that the changes in the Act to permit gaiben and bengoshi to establish a hojin together have been enacted and we await confirmation that the changes have been implemented by no later than September 2020.

  • published_date_iconPublished:

    Malt and quota management system

    Committee:
    Food & Agriculture
    status:
    Resolved

    Japan 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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Eurobiz_June2022_cover_HI

Eurobiz Japan

JUNE 2022

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NEWS FEED
  • Japanese R&D Tax Credits to Support Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Semiconductors, Other Strategic Tech (The Japan News)
  • Economic Security Info to be ‘Specially Designated Secrets’; Legal Revisions Also Meant to Improve Security Clearance Assessment (The Japan News)
  • Japan gov’t considering new intelligence minister post (Japan Today)
  • Japan to set up environment safeguards for mega solar project regulations (Kyodo News+)
  • Japan’s Steelmakers Turn to Hydrogen in Decarbonization Efforts, but High Costs Hinder Progress (The Japan News)
  • Takaichi’s challenge: Spur SME growth to fight inflation (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan eyes bigger R&D tax credit for AI, quantum computing (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan’s Domestic Airlines Get Approval to Coordinate Domestic Flight Schedules (The Japan News)
  • Govt Aims to Expand NISA Program Lineup, Abolish Age Restriction (The Japan News)
  • Japan considers income tax hike in 2027 to cover increase in defense spending (Japan Today)
  • Japan looks to centralize intelligence gathering with new agency (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan to Lower Official Drug Prices in FY 2026 (The Japan News)
  • Automakers in Japan, abroad turn to electric minicars (The Asahi Shimbun)
  • Japan Considers Relaxation of Vehicle Certification System to Allow More U.S.-Made Vehicles (The Japan News)
  • Policy talks on foreigners start; land deals, visas high on agenda (The Asahi Shimbun)
  • Japan launches its own version of DOGE led by Katayama (Japan Today)
  • Japan gov’t task force starts talks on tighter crypto asset regulations (Japan Today)
  • Japan shipping groups, shipbuilders unite on next-gen vessels (Nikkei Asia)
  • AI Safety Agency to Triple Staff to Bolster Defenses Against ‘Backdoors’ in Foreign-Made AI (The Japan News)
  • ¥400 Bil. Eyed for AI, Nuclear Fusion, Quantum in Supplementary Budget; Takaichi Aiming to Make Japan a Leader in Tech (The Japan News)
  • Japan Could Expand Tax Credits for Strategic Tech Investments, Eyeing Growth in AI, Semiconductors (The Japan News)
  • Japan to Tighten Screening of Foreigners’ Residential Status by Providing Information of Nonpayment of Taxes (The Japan News)
  • Japan weighs extending 5-year residency requirement for naturalization (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan set to name AI, nuclear fusion among 6 strategic technology fields (Nikkei Asia)
  • Govt Plans 8％ Corporate Capital Investment Tax Credit (The Japan News)
  • Japan to allow shipbuilding mergers despite lack of competition at home (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan eyes quintupling foreign residency renewal fees to $190 range (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan to clarify that targets of overseas M&A can talk with peers (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan to raise visa fees for foreign residents next fiscal year (Kyodo News+)
  • Essential Services Shortage to Hit Japan’s GDP By Up to ¥76 Tril. By 2040 (The Japan News)
  • Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi eyes tax cuts to spur investment (Nikkei Asia)
  • 25% of Japan firms have failed to accommodate workers with disabilities: survey (The Mainichi)
  • Japan to set up new command body to tackle population decline (The Mainichi)
  • Japan to revise ecotourism policy amid overtourism concerns (Japan Today)
  • Japan’s Ruling Party Establishes 3 Task Forces to Discuss Issues Related to Foreign Nationals (The Japan News)
  • Japan looks to allow public financing of nuclear power projects (Nikkei Asia)
  • Japan gov’t vows to support investment in shipbuilding as growth strategy (The Mainichi)
  • Japan turns to StartX, US tech firms to import startup expertise (Nikkei Asia)

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.