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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.

Centre's News

Statement issued by the co-Chairs of the EU-Japan Business Round Table

On 19 May, the co-Chairs of the EU-Japan Business Round Table issued a statement reacting to the outcome of the EU-Japan Summit of 12 May 2022.
In their “Joint Statement”, Masaki Sakuyama (Senior Corporate Advisor, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation) and Philippe Wahl (Chairman and CEO, Le Groupe La Poste) explained that they were “unreservedly buoyed by the results and prospects that have been borne by the successful – and in-person – EU-Japan Summit 2022 in Tokyo”. The BRT recognises that the Summit has achieved milestones and confirmed progress in growing and fostering digital and gr...

Statement issued by the co-Chairs of the EU-Japan Business Round Table

On 19 May, the co-Chairs of the EU-Japan Business Round Table issued a statement reacting to the outcome of the EU-Japan Summit of 12 May 2022.
In their “Joint Statement”, Masaki Sakuyama (Senior Corporate Advisor, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation) and Philippe Wahl (Chairman and CEO, Le Groupe La Poste) explained that they were “unreservedly buoyed by the results and prospects that have been borne by the successful – and in-person – EU-Japan Summit 2022 in Tokyo”. The BRT recognises that the Summit has achieved milestones and confirmed progress in growing and fostering digital and gr...

Communicating effectively in videos

Video is playing an increasing role in the Centre's communication to engage with our stakeholders and further increase dissemination of information about our actions to support businesses. Videos are complementary to and strengthen text-based info messages as they (1) have higher chances of capturing the viewer’s attention, (2) can be ‘processed’ by people much faster than a text, even if they are dense in terms of info, and (3) add a personal touch to communication, bring in the human dimension, and drawing emotions, all important factors for retaining the information provided.

V...

Webinar on Opportunities for EU-Japan Cooperation in the Circular Economy for Strategic Metals

Would you like to learn the latest EU and Japanese circular economy policy instruments and industrial innovations? Join us on 23 June at a webinar on the opportunities for EU-Japan industrial and innovation cooperation in the circular economy for raw materials.

EU-Japan Green Transition Matchmaking – joint efforts for green economy business partnerships

With a combination of online matchmaking events and hybrid fair participation, the EU-Japan Centre, joined by partners in Europe and Japan, supported the creation of business partnerships for a greener economy.

Webinar on Opportunities for EU-Japan Cooperation in the Circular Economy for Strategic Metals

Would you like to learn the latest EU and Japanese circular economy policy instruments and industrial innovations? Join us on 23 June at a webinar on the opportunities for EU-Japan industrial and innovation cooperation in the circular economy for raw materials.

EU-Japan Green Transition Matchmaking – joint efforts for green economy business partnerships

With a combination of online matchmaking events and hybrid fair participation, the EU-Japan Centre, joined by partners in Europe and Japan, supported the creation of business partnerships for a greener economy.

EU-Japan business matchmaking with Vietnam

With the objective to promote and support EU-Japan business cooperation in and with ASEAN, the EU-Japan Centre launched the one-year virtual platform “EU-Japan Business Matchmaking with Vietnam” on 7 March 2022. This platform will support the connection between EU, Japanese and Vietnamese companies and organisations interested in trilateral business cooperation for joint projects in Vietnam. The platform targets four priority business areas: infrastructure, manufacturing, smart cities, and green technology.

On 7 March 2022, the EU-Japan Centre organised a kick-off webinar in coope...

New helpdesk for EU-Japan business cooperation with ASEAN, Africa and Latin America

In April 2022, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation officially launched a new helpdesk for EU-Japan Business Cooperation with ASEAN, Africa and Latin America (EJ3A). The objective of this helpdesk is to support the connection between EU and Japanese companies for joint projects in and with these three regions.

EU-Japan business matchmaking with Vietnam

With the objective to promote and support EU-Japan business cooperation in and with ASEAN, the EU-Japan Centre launched the one-year virtual platform “EU-Japan Business Matchmaking with Vietnam” on 7 March 2022. This platform will support the connection between EU, Japanese and Vietnamese companies and organisations interested in trilateral business cooperation for joint projects in Vietnam. The platform targets four priority business areas: infrastructure, manufacturing, smart cities, and green technology.

On 7 March 2022, the EU-Japan Centre organised a kick-off webinar in coope...

It’s back! JTPP Helpdesk Weekly Digest of Public Sector Tenders

After a one-year break, the Japan Tax & Public Procurement (JTPP) Helpdesk is restarting its digest service with a weekly selection of Japanese public sector tenders. The digest provides concrete business opportunities that are also open to EU suppliers, covering a broad range of sectors.

The digest consists primarily of tender opportunities offered by national and regional government organizations, which are regulated by the Agreements on Government Procurement (GPAs) by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and published on the Japan Overseas Trade Organization (JETRO) procurem...

Join Asia’s largest Open Innovation event: Innovation Leaders Summit 2022

The Innovation Leaders Summit (“ILS”), possibly Asia's largest open-innovation event, was held both online and offline in February this year. The next edition meant to take place from 29 November 2022 will continue as a hybrid event. The past on-line edition of ILS was held on 7-10 February, while the face-to-face event took place in Tokyo from 16 to 18 February.

It’s back! JTPP Helpdesk Weekly Digest of Public Sector Tenders

After a one-year break, the Japan Tax & Public Procurement (JTPP) Helpdesk is restarting its digest service with a weekly selection of Japanese public sector tenders. The digest provides concrete business opportunities that are also open to EU suppliers, covering a broad range of sectors.

The digest consists primarily of tender opportunities offered by national and regional government organizations, which are regulated by the Agreements on Government Procurement (GPAs) by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and published on the Japan Overseas Trade Organization (JETRO) procurem...

Get back to the Gemba – join the Lean in Europe visit to PakMarkas

Join September’s Lean in Europe visit to PakMarkas and get back to the Gemba! The Centre is restarting its series of occasional visits to different European factories and facilities to learn, see and understand how they embed lean thinking into their activities.

Get back to the Gemba – join the Lean in Europe visit to PakMarkas

Join September’s Lean in Europe visit to PakMarkas and get back to the Gemba! The Centre is restarting its series of occasional visits to different European factories and facilities to learn, see and understand how they embed lean thinking into their activities.

World Class Manufacturing 49th edition: a testimonial

By Miguel Teixeira, Digital Business Lead- Powertrain Industry, Renault Group, Portugal / Participant to WCM (online training) March 2022

“I am so grateful for this opportunity! My company and I will certainly learn from the lean takeaways and all the wonderful insights shared during the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) online training.
This initiative gave me a better understanding of my role and responsibilities indoors. Key principles, such as - lead by example, learn by doing and get the basics done. Promote inhouse skills with simple and cheap solutions. Promote and ach...

Export organic products in Japan with EUFood2Japan

Get advice on the Japanese market and a unique profile page set up online on our EUFood2Japan platform, which is translated into Japanese.

CASE STUDY - UAB GELD BALTIC Super Garden

UAB Geld Baltic – Super Garden is a young Lithuanian company created in 2016 by Laura Kaziukonienė. It specializes in the manufacture and commercialization of freeze-dried products; a technique initially developed by NASA. The desire to offer healthier snacks with a considerable duration, but especially delicious, encouraged Ms. Kaziukonienė to launch her own brand based on this technology.

Export organic products in Japan with EUFood2Japan

Get advice on the Japanese market and a unique profile page set up online on our EUFood2Japan platform, which is translated into Japanese.

CASE STUDY - UAB GELD BALTIC Super Garden

UAB Geld Baltic – Super Garden is a young Lithuanian company created in 2016 by Laura Kaziukonienė. It specializes in the manufacture and commercialization of freeze-dried products; a technique initially developed by NASA. The desire to offer healthier snacks with a considerable duration, but especially delicious, encouraged Ms. Kaziukonienė to launch her own brand based on this technology.

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

Summer 2023: boost your R&D team by hosting a top Japanese university student of technical disciplines. Open to manufacturing and non-manufacturing companies of all sizes.

EU-Japan biotech & pharma partnering conference, Osaka 2022

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation and Osaka Bio Headquarters (Osaka Prefectural Government) have been since 2016 co-organising the EU-Japan Biotech & Pharma Partnering Conference in Osaka, which is a one-to-one business matching event.

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

Summer 2023: boost your R&D team by hosting a top Japanese university student of technical disciplines. Open to manufacturing and non-manufacturing companies of all sizes.

EPA Export Handbook – a guide to help EU SMEs export to Japan

The EU-Japan Centre released on March 2022 the handbook: "How to export using the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)", to help EU SME companies to export to Japan while taking full advantage of the EU-Japan EPA. The handbook includes straightforward explanations, step-by-step instructions, and other tips.
 

A similar handbook for EU importers was also released last year.
 

 

EPA Export Handbook – a guide to help EU SMEs export to Japan

The EU-Japan Centre released on March 2022 the handbook: "How to export using the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)", to help EU SME companies to export to Japan while taking full advantage of the EU-Japan EPA. The handbook includes straightforward explanations, step-by-step instructions, and other tips.
 

A similar handbook for EU importers was also released last year.
 

 

Webinars and Expert Reports

Lately, the EU-Japan Centre conducted a series of webinars, covering many sectors and topics, to support EU companies doing business with Japan. Did you miss one? You can always access the previous webinars’ recordings at the following link.

From EU

EU-Japan Summit: strengthening our partnership

Japan is one of the EU's closest allies. This was reaffirmed during the 28th EU-Japan Summit held on the 12 May 2022 in Tokyo with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michel and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. During the summit, the EU and Japan took important steps to take their relations forward, from digital technologies, trade and investments, climate action, biodiversity protection, sustainable development as well as security.

EU-Japan Summit: strengthening our partnership

Japan is one of the EU's closest allies. This was reaffirmed during the 28th EU-Japan Summit held on the 12 May 2022 in Tokyo with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michel and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. During the summit, the EU and Japan took important steps to take their relations forward, from digital technologies, trade and investments, climate action, biodiversity protection, sustainable development as well as security.

The EU and Japan open Horizon Europe association talks

Leaders at the EU-Japan Summit taking place in Tokyo agreed to start exploratory talks on Japan’s possible association to the EU's key research & innovation funding programme Horizon Europe. Association is the closest form of international cooperation on research and innovation with third countries, and it could pave the way for an intensified cooperation in research and innovation between the EU and Japan.

Defence Industrial Cooperation

The implementation of the European Defence Fund is well on tracks. Results from the 2019/2020 programme demonstrate that companies controlled by third countries can actually participate and be funded. Next calls for proposals should be published before the Summer break.

New features on the Access2Markets portal

The new Access2Markets homepage was launched in May. On the new homepage, information is now organised in a clearer and more intuitive manner. New features have also been added, including a trade assistant for services and investment.

Defence Industrial Cooperation

The implementation of the European Defence Fund is well on tracks. Results from the 2019/2020 programme demonstrate that companies controlled by third countries can actually participate and be funded. Next calls for proposals should be published before the Summer break.

New features on the Access2Markets portal

The new Access2Markets homepage was launched in May. On the new homepage, information is now organised in a clearer and more intuitive manner. New features have also been added, including a trade assistant for services and investment.

From Japan

JETRO "e-Venue" matching site

JETRO's business matching site "TTPP" has been reborn as a new system - "e-Venue", as of January 2022.

JETRO’s Survey on Business Operations of Foreign-affiliated Companies in Japan

JETRO conducted a survey of foreign-affiliated companies based in Japan from September to October 2021. This survey was conducted by JETRO to assess the current status of foreign-affiliated companies in Japan, the Japanese business environment, and the state of collaboration/cooperation with Japanese companies and other entities.

Amendments to the Memorandum of Cooperation with the European Securities and Markets Authority

On 18 March, the Financial Services Agency (FSA) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) signed the amended Memorandum of Cooperation which was originally concluded on 2015.

EU-Japan News

Nippon Export Award 2022-2023

The Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan is organizing the 11th edition of the Nippon Export Award. Is your SME or large company exporting to Japan, importing into Japan, or offering Belgian-Luxembourg products/services in Japan? Then you could be the next winner!

Strategic Meeting at Málaga TechPark

During the month of May 2022, the Ambassador of Japan, along with some embassy members, visited Málaga TechPark in Spain, to strengthen the relations of Japan with Málaga city from the scientific, business, technological, and cultural point of view.

Nippon Export Award 2022-2023

The Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan is organizing the 11th edition of the Nippon Export Award. Is your SME or large company exporting to Japan, importing into Japan, or offering Belgian-Luxembourg products/services in Japan? Then you could be the next winner!

Strategic Meeting at Málaga TechPark

During the month of May 2022, the Ambassador of Japan, along with some embassy members, visited Málaga TechPark in Spain, to strengthen the relations of Japan with Málaga city from the scientific, business, technological, and cultural point of view.

How to deepen the EU-Japan partnership in a geopolitically challenging setting

During a meeting on 31 March, BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer and the Vice-Minister for International Affairs of Japan Hirose Naoshi talked about the strong trade and investment ties between the EU and Japan, which have been reinforced after the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement that entered into force 3 years ago.

How to deepen the EU-Japan partnership in a geopolitically challenging setting

During a meeting on 31 March, BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer and the Vice-Minister for International Affairs of Japan Hirose Naoshi talked about the strong trade and investment ties between the EU and Japan, which have been reinforced after the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement that entered into force 3 years ago.

EU and Japan should build on strong partnership and strengthen cooperation

On 4 May, BusinessEurope sent a letter to the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sharing its priorities ahead of the EU-Japan Summit. The letter highlights the strong partnership between the EU and Japan with the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) as the bedrock of the economic relationship.

ICCJ and Ibaraki Prefecture Cooperation

The main scope of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ICCJ) is to promote Made in Italy in Japan. Having said that, the way the ICCJ has been doing so has changed significantly in the past 10 years.

EU-Japan cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

At a meeting organised by the European Policy Centre on 26 April, BusinessEurope Senior Adviser Elena Suárez exchanged views on how the EU and Japan, as like-minded partners, can advance their own strategic agendas by reaffirming their strong commitment to the rules-based international order.

ICCJ and Ibaraki Prefecture Cooperation

The main scope of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ICCJ) is to promote Made in Italy in Japan. Having said that, the way the ICCJ has been doing so has changed significantly in the past 10 years.

PPIMAP+ project is going to Japan

After the organisation of preparatory activities for one year and a half, PIMAP+ European project is finally going to Japan to boost the opportunities of its SMEs.

Slovakia – an opportunity for new Japanese investments

Slovakia is now offering favourable conditions for Japanese investors – especially in high-tech sectors. About 70 Japan companies have already utilised this opportunity

PPIMAP+ project is going to Japan

After the organisation of preparatory activities for one year and a half, PIMAP+ European project is finally going to Japan to boost the opportunities of its SMEs.

Slovakia – an opportunity for new Japanese investments

Slovakia is now offering favourable conditions for Japanese investors – especially in high-tech sectors. About 70 Japan companies have already utilised this opportunity

Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce Launch Food, Beverage and Hospitality Committee

The Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce announces the launch of a Food, Beverage and Hospitality Committee.

Italian Food & Beverage sector promotion in Japan

The Trade Promotion Section of the Embassy of Italy in Japan organizes various events for the promotion of the Italian Food & Beverage sector

Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce Launch Food, Beverage and Hospitality Committee

The Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce announces the launch of a Food, Beverage and Hospitality Committee.

Italian Food & Beverage sector promotion in Japan

The Trade Promotion Section of the Embassy of Italy in Japan organizes various events for the promotion of the Italian Food & Beverage sector

AI and Social Sciences

The international forum “Intelligence Augmentation and Amplification plus Society” aims at creating an innovative dialogue to explore new research issues and methodology for future symbiotic society with artificial intelligence. It involves researchers working on a wide array of topics and disciplines revolving around artificial intelligence.

AI and Social Sciences

The international forum “Intelligence Augmentation and Amplification plus Society” aims at creating an innovative dialogue to explore new research issues and methodology for future symbiotic society with artificial intelligence. It involves researchers working on a wide array of topics and disciplines revolving around artificial intelligence.

AI in Manufacturing: Worker Survey

The EU-Japan.AI project is surveying the attitudes of workers towards the deployment of AI in manufacturing workplaces.

Specified Skilled Worker and Internship programs in Japan with J’imagine Japan Corporation

J’imagine Japan Corporation (JJC) is a Japanese organization founded in 2015 with the goal of welcoming and assisting young students from France and French Overseas Departments in particular, but not exclusively, who wish to do a professional training period in a Japanese company.

Call for proposals: Design of Materials with Atomic Precision

EIG CONCERT-Japan is delighted to announce that its Joint call on "Design of Materials with Atomic Precision" is now open until Monday, 18 July 2022. Projects with an innovative dimension will be funded for a period of 3 years.

Specified Skilled Worker and Internship programs in Japan with J’imagine Japan Corporation

J’imagine Japan Corporation (JJC) is a Japanese organization founded in 2015 with the goal of welcoming and assisting young students from France and French Overseas Departments in particular, but not exclusively, who wish to do a professional training period in a Japanese company.

Femtech – Empowerment through Innovation

The Femtech sector is booming in Japan, Germany, and all over the world. After health issues specific to the female body being systematically overlooked and even tabued for decades, we now witness manifold innovations branded as “Femtech” (female technology). In an online panel discussion organized by DWIH Tokyo (German Centre for Research and Innovation Tokyo) and JDZB Berlin (Japanese-German Center Berlin), experts from Germany and Japan discussed how Femtech can contribute to women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Femtech – Empowerment through Innovation

The Femtech sector is booming in Japan, Germany, and all over the world. After health issues specific to the female body being systematically overlooked and even tabued for decades, we now witness manifold innovations branded as “Femtech” (female technology). In an online panel discussion organized by DWIH Tokyo (German Centre for Research and Innovation Tokyo) and JDZB Berlin (Japanese-German Center Berlin), experts from Germany and Japan discussed how Femtech can contribute to women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Empowering housewives abroad wanting to work

The German Japanese Professional Women's Network organizes an online event for housewives who want to work.

The Network News

The Supply Chain Resilience platform

Europe is facing a number of economic, environmental and social challenges, with businesses severely affected by supply chain disruptions. To address these challenges, the European Union has launched new measures to strengthen the resilience of the Single Market and build a sustainable, digital and globally competitive economy. 

The Supply Chain Resilience platform

Europe is facing a number of economic, environmental and social challenges, with businesses severely affected by supply chain disruptions. To address these challenges, the European Union has launched new measures to strengthen the resilience of the Single Market and build a sustainable, digital and globally competitive economy. 

Smart & Technical Textiles 2022

On the occasion of the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and non-wovens TechTextil and the International Conference for Smart Textiles InMotion, the Enterprise Europe Network is organising an international brokerage event “Technical & Smart Textile”.

Smart & Technical Textiles 2022

On the occasion of the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and non-wovens TechTextil and the International Conference for Smart Textiles InMotion, the Enterprise Europe Network is organising an international brokerage event “Technical & Smart Textile”.

Micro Nano Event 2022

Withing the frame of Micronara fair the CCI Bourgogne Franche-Comté is organizing a hybrid B2B event for companies and organizations operating in the micro & nanotechnologies sectors. 

Calendar

Date/location Details Contacts
08
Mar
2022
28
Feb
2023
Online
B2B MATCHMAKING EVENT
EU-Japan Green Transition Matchmaking Platform 2022
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
07
Mar
2022
26
Feb
2023
Online
B2B MATCHMAKING EVENT
EU-Japan Business Matchmaking with Vietnam 2022
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
14
Jun
2022
Online
WEBINAR
Cross-Cultural webinar series 5: Techniques for effective virtual communication with Japanese partners
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
15
Jun
2022
Online
WEBINAR
EU-Japan Joint Webinar on Business and Human Rights - Towards building a more resilient supply chain
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Delegation of the European Union to Japan; EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
21
Jun
2022
Online
WEBINAR
About Japan webinar 195: Railway Market in Japan
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
23
Jun
2022
Online
WEBINAR
Opportunities for EU & Japan Industrial and Innovation Cooperation in the Circular Economy for Strategic Metals
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
28
Jun
2022
Online
WEBINAR
About Japan webinar 196: Sports equipment market in Japan
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
05
Jul
2022
Belgium
Brussels
CONFERENCE
Kobe Opportunities for EU-Japan Research Collaboration
Kobe University Brussels European Centre; RIKEN
Url
26
Sep
2022
30
Sep
2022
Online
B2B MATCHMAKING EVENT
EU-Japan Biotech Partnering Event 2022
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
27
Jul
2024
2 VOL 20
31
Jan
2024
03
Feb
2024
Japan
Tokyo
MATCHMAKING MISSION
Nanotech Cluster & SMEs Mission
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url