EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Policy Seminar
Expectations and Prospects for Sustainable Chemistry: Exploring Future Directions Together in EU and Japan

19 February 2026, 16:30–18:00 Tokyo (8:30–10:00 Brussels)
(With Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation / Free event / Zoom webinar)

The chemical industry, a key sector both in Japan and the EU, is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions (second only to steel in the industrial sector), thereby “Green Transformation (GX)” which should strengthen competitiveness is required. Accordingly, in both Japan and the EU, policies and industry measures are being promoted to support technological development such as biodegradable plastics and raw material production using CO2, as well as the creation of GX markets where decarbonization value is recognized.

In this webinar, policy officials from the Japanese and EU governments as well as representatives from the industry of both sides will discuss the challenges, expectations, and future directions for promoting “Sustainable Chemistry”. 

Agenda

16:30-16:32 (8:30-8:32)  Opening Remarks
     Manuel Hubert, EU-side Managing Director, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

16:32-17:20 (8:32-9:20)  Presentations
-    Hiroshi Tsuchiya, Director, Material Industries Division, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
-    Dr. Jérémy Pinte, Policy Officer, Unit for Bioeconomy, Chemicals and Cosmetics, DG GROW, European Commission
-    Noriyuki Mita, Executive Officer & Chief Sustainability Officer, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation
-    Dr. Eric de Deckere, Executive Director Innovation, the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC)

17:20-18:00 (9:20-10:00)  Q&A Session / Panel discussion
Moderator: Yasuo Tanabe, Japan-side Managing Director, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

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

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