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The EU and Japan – Rising Together above the storm

Dr. Philippe de Taxis du Poët
Dr. Philippe de Taxis du Poët

The European Union and Japan are facing unprecedented challenges, both global and domestic, for our lives, economies and societies. With disruptions of global value chains, a sudden fall in tourism, and exports/imports being deeply impacted, our economies have come to a standstill - with a sharp increase in unemployment, and thousands of struggling businesses, especially SMEs. The economic impact of Covid-19 could become the gravest global crisis since the Second World War. Hence the need for the EU and Japan to rise together above this major storm to influence global dynamics and to defend our common interests and values.
The position paper (see page 2) from the EU-Japan Business Round Table on the Covid-19 pandemic is therefore particularly timely and pertinent. The BRT calls for EU-Japan cooperation, leadership and concerted policies to fight together the huge health and economic impacts of the crisis, working on several fronts (i) to coordinate efforts for supporting the development and deployment of a vaccine and medical treatment, (ii) to ensure that markets remain open and for the EU and Japan to keep trade flowing and supply chains open – crucial for economic recovery, (iii) to help the most vulnerable countries including via further promoting EU-Japan business collaboration in third countries, and (iv) to reflect on forward-looking strategies for the "world after" by being more inclusive, greener, fairer, safer.
On the later dimension, it is a particularly important signal given by European and Japanese industry that efforts to revive the Japan, EU and global economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic must ensure a green recovery that helps the world tackle climate change that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions in coming years. The Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals will remain crucial to help equip the world to address future systemic shocks, avoid future pandemics, and harness globalisation.
The ability of both the public and private sectors of the EU and Japan, to react and to be resilient will more than ever depend upon our willingness to act together and coordinate our policies and industrial responses. And to build together a better world.

Table of Content

Centre's News

From EU

EU-Japan News

The Network News

The Network offers & requests

Calendar

for PDF version click here

is a joint venture co-financed by the European Commission and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Its aim is to foster the development of industrial cooperation between companies from both regions through training programmes for businesspeople, for EU and Japanese students and researchers, and through information services and an industrial dialogue. This quarterly newsletter is produced by the EU-based office of the EU-Japan Centre, and is primarily intended to provide EU/Japan-related news.

https://www.eu-japan.eu/

Centre's News

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EU-Japan BRT Covid-19 Position Paper

The EU-Japan BRT has issued a Position Paper on the health, economic and other challenges posed by coronavirus.

The EU-Japan Business Round Table (BRT) is a forum for senior executives from 55 Japanese and European companies and business organisations, led by Masaki Sakuyama (Chairman, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation) and Philippe Wahl (Chairman and CEO, Le Groupe La Poste).

On 19 May, the BRT issued a Position Paper on the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The first part of the Position Paper focussed on the impact that the coronavirus pandemic is having on heal...

Mapping a future for autonomous driving – TomTom joins the EU-Japan BRT

Alain De Taeye, Member of TomTom N.V.’s Management Board, has joined the EU-Japan Business Round Table (BRT) and will feed his knowledge and expertise in high definition mapping for safe autonomous driving into the BRT’s work.

Remembering Tom Hardiman

A look back at Dr. T.P. Hardiman's links with the EU-Japan Centre

Tom Hardiman, the Irish industrialist, committed European and ardent advocate for EU-Japan relations has died aged 91. An engineering and science graduate, his broad career took him from Irish radio and television, through chairmanship of Irish business and other organisations, roles in Brussels, London and Paris, to a governorship of the Asia Europe Federation in Singapore. Widely respected internationally in business and public life, he was an approachable, relatable and loyal individual, who took time to get to know ...

New report on EU-Japan business cooperation in third markets

What can EU and Japan businesses do together in third markets? This is the topic of the latest report of the EU-Japan Centre, prepared by Masami Marbot as part of the MINERVA Market & Policy Intelligence Programme.

EU-Japan region & cluster cooperation: benefits for SMEs

This article will give some information about the newly published report about EU-Japan region & cluster cooperation carried out in the framework of the MINERVA EU-Japan Market & Policy Intelligence Programme.

EPA HELPDESK

EPA Helpdesk: making the EPA work for businesses

The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) marked the start of a new era for the European Union and Japan. From the start, the priority for us at the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation has been implementing the EPA. We should ensure that businesses, in particular SMEs, reap the maximum benefits from the agreement. This means raising awareness with promotion campaigns, making information accessible, providing guidance and reaching out to SMEs throughout Europe. It is the objective of the EPA Helpdesk which was actually put in place at the end of 2018, anticipating the entry in...

EPA Webinars: Future & Past

Future EPA webinar on Services & Insurances to be organised on Tuesday, 16 June at 10:30 CET. This webinar is targeted to EU SMEs wishing to learn more about the changes brought by the EPA in terms of insurance. The EPA covers numerous aspects of the insurance services market, ranging from insurance and reinsurance to brokerage, intermediation, and auxiliary actuarial services. This coverage affects EU companies throughout the insurance services industry.

EPA Factsheets

EPA & Footwear and Leather Products
The aim of this Factsheet is to explain to EU exporters of Footwear and Leather products, the market access opportunities offered by the EU-Japan Agreement for an Economic Partnership. This factsheet takes a close look at market access for different products such as raw hides, skins, leather, articles of leather, saddlery, travel goods, footwear articles and more. It then focuses on criteria that a product needs to comply with the provisions "Rules of Origin".EPA & Forestry Products
This factsheet aims EU exporters of Forestry products, and...

The importance of leadership, a strategic vision and engaging everyone in an organisation

The first lecture in the EU-Japan Centre’s Shaping Business series looks at the role of the leader in industry and why ‘servant leaders’ are particularly important. Future Shaping Business lectures will look at other issues affecting EU and Japanese industry.

Call for Applications for the Next "World Class Manufacturing" Training Mission to Japan

The 5-day World Class Manufacturing training mission (WCM) will give participants an opportunity to visit some of the world's most advanced factories.
During this 5-day mission in Nagoya participants will learn how leading Japanese companies use world-class manufacturing techniques to drive their businesses and how to interact with senior Japanese production engineering managers and lean experts.

"Regardless the step in the lean journey your company might be, the mission provides an in-depth approach and a striking experience that forces you to review how well your visi...

Call for Applications for the Biotech Mission to Japan in October 2020

The Biotech mission is now heading towards its 8th edition, set to take place in Japan, on 13-16 October 2020. During this 4-day mission, you will have the opportunity to meet/discuss with Japanese companies and have a (free) exhibition space at the "BioJapan" Expo.
The programme targets EU companies and clusters from the EU or COSME partnering countries, active in sectors covered by the trade fair:

Drug and Drug Discovery (Biologics, Vaccine Small-Molecule Drug etc.)Digital Technologies and AI for Drug Development, BioinformaticsCell therapies, Regenerative MedicineDrug Discovery S...

GRFJ POSTPONED

“Get Ready for Japan” Training Mission Postponed in September 2020

In support of the recommendations of health officials, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is postponing the 3rd edition of its successful programme "Get Ready for Japan" until September 2020. In this occasion, the Centre has confirmed the selection of 14 EU entrepreneurs willing to discover more about the Japanese culture and business market opportunities.
https://www.eu-japan.eu/events/get-ready-for-japan-training-programme

"Participating in the course gave me the confidence to continue working within the Japanese market, now that my knowledge about different layers ...

Vulcanus in Europe – Get a Japanese perspective on your R&D activities

Starting in summer 2021, can you offer an R&D internship to high-scoring Japanese postgraduate students of technical disciplines? Open to manufacturing and non-manufacturing companies of all sizes.

WEBINARS "ABOUT JAPAN"

Future & Past Webinars "About Japan"

FUTURE WEBINARS "ABOUT JAPAN"

Webinar 156: The Japanese Meat Market
23-06-20 | 10:30 h - 11:30 h CET
The webinar is targeted to EU companies seeking to learn more about the specificities of the Japanese meat market. The consumption of beef and other types of meat has increased gradually in Japan over recent years, especially among the younger generations. On the other hand, the EU-Japan EPA is reducing tariffs on meat products. These elements are creating new business opportunities for EU meat producers.

PAST WEBINARS "ABOUT JAPAN"

Webinar 150: Cross Cultural Issues...

REPORTS "ABOUT JAPAN"

Latest Reports "About Japan" Released

Japanese Footwear & Leather market
Japan's leather and footwear markets is in good health: the leather goods market grew around 2.6% in 2018 and is worth ¥1.15 trillion. The footwear market, while not growing, has remained stable for a decade at ¥1.4 trillion and, within that market, there are plenty of growing segments such as fashion sneakers and premium footwear. Japanese appreciation for European manufacture, design, craftsmanship is well known and remains a constant feature of the market. This report titled provides readers with a clear overview of the size of the Japanese lea...

From EU

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Japan-EU Leaders' meeting on 26 May 2020

H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and H.E. Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, held a Leaders Meeting via VTC on 26 May 2020.

During the meeting the following points were covered:
COVID-19
The leaders recognised that global solidarity, cooperation and effective multilateralism are required more than ever to defeat the virus as well as to ensure economic recovery.
RESILIENCE
The leaders emphasised the importance of strengthening preparedness and of improving the inter...

EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Factsheet

The European External Action Service (EEAS) released a factsheet on the EU-Japan strategic partnership. The EU-Japan strategic partnership is based on longstanding cooperation, shared values and principles such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights, good governance, multilateralism and open market economies. Japan is one of the EU's closest, like-minded partners. Under the Strategic Partnership Agreement, the EU and Japan are strengthening their relations across a wide range of areas, from enhanced political cooperation to trade and investment, from development to the digital transfor...

Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on the new MFF, own resources and the Recovery Plan

On 13 May, the European Commission President von der Leyen made a speech on a possible recovery plan.
The full text is available on the European Commission website: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_877

Source: European Commission

Speech of Commissioner Breton at the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

On 24 April, the Commissioner Breton made a speech on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the industrial ecosystems and possible recovery plan.
The full text is available on the European Commission website: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/breton/announcements/speech-commissioner-breton-european-parliament-committee-industry-research-and-energy_en

Source: European Commission

EU-Japan News

1 / 4

European Trade Promotion Organisations’ Association COVID-19 Survey on Crisis Management and Recovery Strategies

In March 2020, ETPOA – the European Trade Promotion Organisations' Association conducted a survey on the impact of COVID-19 on exhibitions participations and on crisis management and recovery measures by European Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs). In total, 28 organisations responded, including 21 national TPOs from Member States.
Exhibitions play an important role in foreign trade promotion, as most respondents organise pavilions for companies to join. All ETPOA survey participants planned a total of 1.283 pavilions in exhibitions in 2020.

At the time of the survey, 255 were ...

EUREKA GLOBALSTARS CALL

EUREKA GlobalStars Call for Joint R&D Projects Launched

A GlobalStars Call for Proposals for Joint R&D Projects has been launched for projects in any sector between Japan and the EUREKA member countries: Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Israel, Spain and UK.

EIG CONCERT-Japan Joint Call 2020: Now Open

The European Interest Group CONCERT-Japan is delighted to announce that its 7th joint call, "ICT for Resilient, Safe and Secure Society", is now open and welcoming proposals from interested researchers.

Urban experiments in Japan, which lessons for France?

The Fondation France-Japon has launched a new research project on urban experiments in Japan, focusing in particular on the case of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo. This project mobilises diverse partners from academic institutions but also from private sector.

While the previous Games were an opportunity to demonstrate the power of cities and states through the construction of major infrastructures, the next two editions in Tokyo and then Paris will seek above all to build on their pre-existing infrastructures.

The Games of 2020 (postponed to 2021) an...

DWIH Tokyo Web Talk on “The Future of Work in Industry 4.0 & Society 5.0”

On 31 March, the DWIH Tokyo welcomed four panellists from Germany and Japan to a web talk on "The Future of Work in Industry 4.0 & Society 5.0". More than 150 viewers from Germany and Japan followed the web talk via the live stream on YouTube and engaged in the online discussion.

Into the future with Artificial Intelligence – how MeJoin encourages the digital brains!

MeJoin is a research network funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, which strengthens the bond between Japan and Germany and advises 10 medium-sized companies that want to settle abroad.

Spotted publication: Use of robotic devices in elderly care in Japan

As part of a study conducted by the IGES Institute, Berlin, Franz Waldenberger (Director of DIJ) and Sieun Park (Scholarship student at DIJ) investigated to what extent robotic devices were applied in elderly care in Japan, how practitioners assessed their potential and what difficulties stood in the way of the spread of the technology. Given the severe labor shortage in elderly care, these questions are of utmost importance. The study was prepared for the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. An abridged version of the final report (in German) can be downloaded on this l...

Co-sponsored Research Fellowships

Together with the European University Institute, San Fiesole, Italy, the Canon Foundation jointly awards one co-sponsored Canon Foundation Research Fellowship annually for post-doctoral research at the EUI. This Fellowship is open to candidates of Japanese nationality or permanent residents of Japan. The annual deadline for applications is 15 September and applicants can apply either via the Canon Foundation or the European University website.

Source: Canon Foundation

The Network News

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Specific COVID-19-related support initiated by organisations members of Enterprise Europe Network

Enterprise Europe Network helps fight against COV-19 with marketplace "Care & Industry together against CORONA"
The "Care & Industry together against CORONA" platform aims to bring together actors in healthcare, industry, academia and government in Europe to gather and showcase initiatives in various EU regions and share knowledge and best practices. It offers a market place to match offers and requests for products, services, partnerships, project cooperation and investment. EEN partners are ready to help identify potential partners, support SMEs and all actors to provide reli...

From Cap Innove: Specific COVID support

Cap Innove is a non-profit Business Innovation Center, in Nivelles (Wallonia, Belgium), supporting innovative companies whatever the sector but with a strong focus on 2 main topics: Autonomous systems (mainly drones) in ID2Move and Food & AgriTech (project ID2Food).
Their clients are badly impacted by the lockdown situation as airspace and HoReCa are closed.
Cap Innove took several initiatives to help them in this tricky situation:

Online coaching sessions on how to rethink the business model;List of (free) webinars/ online trainings to skill them up;Facebook page to share ...

From BioWin: Specific COVID-19 Support

The Health Cluster of Wallonia, Belgium.
In the context of the COVID-19 epidemic, BioWin, the Health Cluster of Wallonia, has set up an interactive platform to gather healthcare initiatives and foster interaction between industrial, academic players and other contributors. The platform will be active until the 28 of June and targets companies operating in: the development and manufacturing of new diagnostic approaches; data science; artificial intelligence; the development of new treatments; new sources of funding; manufacturing, supply and recycling of masks and individual protections...

From Turku Science Park: Specific COVID-19 Support

Turku Science Park, has launched a platform Alihankintaverkosto – subcontractor network to match the companies who are in need of raw materials, services and production capacity and those who can offer them. The aim is to keep the local resources and supply chain. Targets are manufacturer, retailer / wholesaler, service providers.
https://alihankintaverkosto.b2match.io

From University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück: Specific COVID-19 Support

What is really exceptional given the current Covid-19 outbreak, is that the University of Applied Sciences in Osnabrück is available for its clients at all times via all media (telephone, mail, video conference), despite their home office. In addition, the contacts to the international EEN colleagues are closer today than before the crisis. In the video conferences, which are held regularly but also ad hoc, the requests of the clients are dealt with much faster and more efficiently. The close cooperation with NBank assures to the clients quick access to the most important government agency ...

From Agro Business Park: Specific COVID-19 Support

In Tjele, Denmark.

Organisation of "Digital Tuesday Talks": short online meetings including topics such as EU funding opportunities, Innovation Health Check service. The events target various Danish actors, e.g. SMEs/startups resident in Agro Business Park's incubators, and operating within the food sector.

The Network offers & requests

1 / 2

REQUEST FOR DISTRIBUTOR: Industrial equipment

A Japanese producer of hydraulic pumps competitive for their light weight and compactness is looking for distribution partners in the EU.

BOJP20200406001

REQUEST FOR DISTRIBUTOR OR SALES AGENT: Industrial equipment

A Japanese company producing a pipe renewal device that increases the longevity of pipes is looking for partners in the EU.


BOJP20200520001

REQUEST FOR AGENT: Electronics

A Japanese electronic components manufacturer specialised in miniaturised potentiometers, joysticks and slip rings, is looking for commercial agents.

BOJP20190322001

REQUEST FOR DISTRIBUTOR: Healthcare

Japanese manufacturer of surgical instruments for the treatment of trigger finger is looking for distributors in the EU.

BOJP20200401001

REQUEST FOR DISTRIBUTOR OR AGENT: Environment, Cleantech

A Japanese company developed a multifunctional organic matter disposal device and is looking for EU distributors and sales agents.

BOJP20190301001

SERVICES OFFERED: Industrial equipment

SERVICES OFFERED: Industrial equipment
A Japanese manufacturer of gas atomisation devices and metal powders offers its services targeting France and Germany.

BOJP20190313001

REQUEST FOR DISTRIBUTOR OR SALES AGENT: Industrial equipment

A Japanese manufacturer of conveyor systems looking for sales agents in the EU.

BOJP20190415001

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER REQUEST: Construction

A Japanese company is seeking 3D printing technology for building constructions to distribute in Japan.

BRJP20190214001

REQUEST FOR SUPPLIER: Electronics, IT

A large Japanese electronic appliance distributor is looking for EU equipment suppliers of disruptive consumer products in electronics and similar sectors that are yet to be released in Japan.

Link to REFERENCE: BRJP20200417001

Calendar

Date/location Details Contacts
18
Jun
2020
Japan
Online
EU-JAPAN WEBINAR
COVID-19 & Business
Delegation of the European Union to Japan
Url
25
Jun
2020
Japan
Online
EU-JAPAN WEBINAR
COVID-19 & Energy
Delegation of the European Union to Japan
Url
02
Jul
2020
Japan
Online
EU-JAPAN WEBINAR
COVID-19 & Digitalisation of Society
Delegation of the European Union to Japan
Url
09
Jul
2020
Japan
Online
EU-JAPAN WEBINAR
COVID-19 & International Trade
Delegation of the European Union to Japan
Url
16
Jul
2020
Japan
Online
EU-JAPAN WEBINAR
COVID-19 & Publich Health Systems
Delegation of the European Union to Japan
Url
24
Aug
2020
Germany
Berlin
Conference
Climate-friendly Mobility
JDZB
Url
07
Sep
2020
18
Sep
2020
Japan
Tokyo
EUROPEAN COMMISSION FUNDED PROGRAMME
Training Mission: Get Ready for Japan
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
10
Sep
2020
Japan
Online
EU-JAPAN WEBINAR
COVID-19 & Connectivity
Delegation of the European Union to Japan
Url
12
Sep
2020
Germany
Duesseldorf
Seminar DJW "Hiru no Kai"
The Economic Power of Pop Culture - Yet Untapped Potential in Germany and Japan
DJW
Url
17
Sep
2020
Japan
Online
EU-JAPAN WEBINAR
COVID-19 & Research + Innovation
Delegation of the European Union to Japan
Url
24
Sep
2020
Japan
Online
EU-JAPAN WEBINAR
COVID-19 & Climate Change
Delegation of the European Union to Japan
Url
13
Oct
2020
16
Oct
2020
Japan
Tokyo & Osaka
EUROPEAN COMMISSION FUNDED PROGRAMME
Sectoral Mission: Biotech Cluster & SMEs Mission
Application deadline: 25 June 2020
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
20
Oct
2020
Japan
Tokyo
SYMPOSIUM
Visions of a Cashless Society - Approaches in Germany and Japan
DJW
Url
16
Nov
2020
20
Nov
2020
Japan
Nagoya
EUROPEAN COMMISSION FUNDED PROGRAMME
Training Mission: World Class Manufacturing - November session
Application deadline: 2 July 2020
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url

is a joint venture co-financed by the European Commission and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Its aim is to foster the development of industrial cooperation between companies from both regions through training programmes for businesspeople, for EU and Japanese students and researchers, and through information services and an industrial dialogue. This quarterly newsletter is produced by the EU-based office of the EU-Japan Centre, and is primarily intended to provide EU/Japan-related news.

Any EU-Japan-related news?

Feel free to contact us if you would like your EU-Japan-related news/event to be announced in our forthcoming newsletter : newsletter@eu-japan.eu

Head office in Japan

  • Shirokane-Takanawa Station bldg 4F
    1-27-6 Shirokane, Minato-ku
    Tokyo 108-0072, Japan
  • T +81 3 6408 0281
  • F +81 3 6408 0283

Office in the EU

  • Rue Marie de Bourgogne 52
    B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
  • T +32 2 282 00 40
  • F +32 2 282 00 45
  • office@eu-japan.eu

https://www.eu-japan.eu/

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, the METI or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor METI, nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.