EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Zoom Webinar
Action Plan on Economic Security: Strengthening Industrial and Technological Foundations – EU-Japan Initiatives and Opportunities for Cooperation 

Tuesday 8 July 2025, 16:30-18:00 Tokyo (9:30-11:00 Brussels)
(With English-Japanese Simultaneous Interpretation / Free Event)

In recent years, the economic and security environment has become even more challenging due to rising geopolitical tensions and fragmented supply chains. Japan is pursuing a strategy that strengthens its industrial and technological foundations in cutting-edge fields such as semiconductors, AI, and quantum technologies, while also balancing autonomy with international cooperation amid great-power competition. In particular, collaboration with trusted partners is regarded as essential in rebuilding a rules-based international economic order.

Meanwhile, in the Draghi Report published in 2024, the EU proposes to ensure industrial competitiveness and security through massive strategic investments and institutional reforms. In addition, the Clean Industrial Deal, announced in February of this year, focuses on promoting renewable energy, supporting decarbonization technologies and securing critical resources to establish a sustainable growth foundation for the EU.

This webinar will welcome Mr. Kazumi Nishikawa, Deputy Director General for Economic Security, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), who will share his insights on the current economic security environment and the Japanese government’s latest initiatives.  From the European Commission, we will be joined by Mr. Fabrice Terrac, Deputy Head of International Value Chains Unit DG GROW and an economic security expert from DG TRADE who will present the latest policy developments in the EU in the area of economic security and industrial competitiveness.

The event will explore the future prospects and possibilities for cooperation between the two sides, followed by a panel discussion including representatives from Japanese and European industry to address the private sector’s responses and the challenges they face.  To register for the event, please click on the Zoom link below.

Agenda

MC: Manuel Hubert, EU-side Managing Director, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

16:30 -16:45 (9:30 - 9:45) Presentation by Japan side
-　Kazumi Nishikawa, Deputy Director General for Semiconductor, Information Policy / Deputy Director General for Economic Security, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)

16:45 -17:15 (9:45 -10:15) Presentation by EU side  
-    Fabrice Terrac, Deputy Head of International Value Chains Unit, DG GROW, European Commission
-    Jacek Kozak, Policy Coordinator, Trade and Economic Security Strategy Unit, DG TRADE, European Commission

17:15-18:00 (10:15 -11:00)  Panel discussion / Q&A session
Panelists：
-    Jean-Paul El Ahl, Head of EU Hub and Global Platforms Lead, Group Political Office, Merck Group
-    Kenzou Iwami, Director, Economic Security Management Office, NEC Corporation

Moderator: Yasuo Tanabe, Japan-side Managing Director, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

Registration: This webinar will be held on ZOOM. Please click this ZOOM link for registration.

Q&A: Registrants can enter questions in the Questions & Comments section of the registration screen.  Due to time constraints, it may be difficult to answer all the questions. Thank you for understanding.