このたび、日本企業の欧州での投資・事業展開に役立つ情報を日本語と英語で月1回お届けするニュースレターを創刊し、第1号（2026年9月号）を公開しました。
近年、日EU関係が幅広く発展し、…
JAPANESE ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: 17 - 23 October ,2026
The EU Japan Centre is releasing a weekly press review covering Japan's economic and business matters.
Weekly Japanese Economic and Business News (17 - 23 October, 2026)
Outline
1. Economic News
▶ Japan eyes private-sector H3 launches to compete with SpaceX
20 Oct, 2026
Photo Source: Sae Kamae/Nikkei
Japan plans to transfer H3 rocket launch operations from JAXA to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries by 2027 to reduce costs and improve commercial competitiveness against SpaceX. The move aims to attract more overseas satellite launch contracts while allowing JAXA to focus on research and development, including reusable rocket technology.
▶ Japan Govt to Invest 400 B. Yen More in Rapidus
20 Oct, 2026
Photo Source: JIJI
Japan’s industry ministry plans to invest an additional ¥400 billion in semiconductor maker Rapidus through fiscal 2029, bringing total government investment to ¥650 billion. The funding aims to strengthen Rapidus’ equity ratio and facilitate commercial borrowing as the company works toward mass-producing advanced semiconductors.
JIJI:https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=ind&k=2026102000371
▶ Japan's mission to Mars moon Phobos: 5 things to know
20 Oct, 2026
Photo Source: JAXA
Japan has launched its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) probe aboard an H3 rocket to collect samples from Phobos, one of Mars’ moons, and return them to Earth by 2031. The mission, involving French and German collaboration on a rover, aims to uncover how Phobos formed and advance understanding of Mars, as China also plans a Mars sample-return mission around 2028.
Nikkei Asia: https://asia.nikkei.com/business/aerospace-defense-industries/japan-s-mission-to-mars-moon-phobos-5-things-to-know
JAXA: https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2026/10/20261020-1_e.html
▶ Japan plans certifications for data centers, cloud services to curb China risk
20 Oct, 2026
Photo Source: Fujitsu
Japan plans to introduce a government certification system for data centers and cloud services from fiscal 2027 to mitigate security risks linked to China, Russia and other countries of concern. The framework will assess corporate ownership, data protection measures and equipment suppliers, with proposed amendments to the Economic Security Promotion Act enabling authorities to halt risky projects. The initiative reflects growing international efforts to protect critical digital infrastructure, similar to existing EU measures addressing third-country risks.
▶ Supplies of rare earth yttrium have ‘stalled,’ industry ministry official says
22 Oct, 2026
Photo Source: Bloomberg
Global yttrium exports have stalled, creating a worldwide supply shortage and sharply rising prices. Japan is particularly vulnerable, with reports suggesting it could run out of the critical metal within months. China dominates rare-earth refining, making the disruption a major concern for Japan’s electronics, semiconductor, aviation, and industrial sectors.
Japan times:https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/10/22/rare-earth-supply-stall/
▶ Japan growth strategy to focus on chips in short term, AI in medium term
22 Oct, 2026
Photo Source: Ken Suzuki/Nikkei
Japan plans to prioritize semiconductors and video games for short-term growth, while focusing on physical AI, hydrogen and other emerging technologies over the longer term. The government aims to mobilize over ¥370 trillion in public and private investment by FY2040 across 17 strategic sectors, with implementation starting in FY2027. It also seeks to attract foreign investment and promote business partnerships with overseas companies.
Nikkei Asia:https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/japan-growth-strategy-to-focus-on-chips-in-short-term-ai-in-medium-term
▶ Japan to arrange $6bn in private-sector investment in Bangladesh
23 Oct, 2026
Photo Source: Nikkei
Japan plans to mobilize ¥1 trillion ($6.35 billion) in private-sector investment in Bangladesh over five years, targeting manufacturing, automobiles and energy infrastructure. The initiative aims to strengthen bilateral economic ties, diversify investment and reduce China’s influence. It follows a Japan-Bangladesh economic partnership agreement signed in February and will complement Japan’s existing development assistance.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Business News
▶ As EV adoption slows, battery recyclers beyond China struggle to stay in the game
19 Oct, 2026
Photo Source: Eiki Hayashi/Nikkei
Global EV battery recycling capacity is underused as EV adoption grows more slowly than expected, with China dominating over 80% of global recycling capacity. Companies in Japan, Europe and North America are delaying projects or facing financial difficulties, while the growing use of lithium iron phosphate batteries reduces recycling profitability. Competition with Chinese recyclers is also making it harder for other countries to secure used batteries and critical metals.
▶ Hitachi, Brookfield, Hartree, and Tokyo Gas Launch Collaboration to develop green data centers with on-site power generation to meet rapidly growing AI demand
19 Oct, 2026
Image: Hitachi
Hitachi, Brookfield, Hartree Partners and Tokyo Gas signed an MoU to develop green data centers in Japan, with initial projects planned for the Kanto and Kyushu regions. The collaboration aims to integrate on-site power generation with reliable, efficient energy use to reduce grid dependence, accelerate project development and support decarbonization amid rising AI-driven electricity demand.
Hitachi:https://www.hitachi.com/content/dam/hitachi/global/en/press/files/2026/10/261019.pdf
▶ Construction Begins on Japan's Largest Hydrogen Liquefaction Plant with a Liquefaction Capacity of 50 Tons per Day
19 Oct, 2026
Photo Source: Japan Suiso Energy, Ltd.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has begun construction of a hydrogen liquefaction plant at the Kawasaki LH2 Terminal in Kanagawa, Japan. With a capacity of 50 tons per day, the plant will significantly exceed Japan’s previously announced maximum capacity of 15 tons per day. Scheduled for completion in late 2028, it will support commercial demonstration of a large-scale hydrogen supply chain from 2030. The project aims to improve liquefaction efficiency, reduce supply chain costs, and contribute to carbon neutrality and Japan’s energy security.
Kawasaki:https://global.kawasaki.com/en/corp/newsroom/news/detail/?f=20261019_6788
▶ Foxconn, Mitsubishi Electric join forces for global EV push
19 Oct, 2026
Photo Source: Suzu Takahashi and Kazuho Fujiwara/Nikkei
Foxconn and Mitsubishi Electric plan to establish a 50-50 joint venture to develop and supply EV platforms globally, combining Foxconn’s manufacturing scale with Mitsubishi Electric’s automotive technology. The partnership aims to strengthen their competitiveness against Chinese EV makers, with a sales target of ¥1 trillion by fiscal 2030.
Nikkei Asia:https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/foxconn-mitsubishi-electric-join-forces-for-global-ev-push
▶ Kawasaki Signs Strategic Partnership MOU with Romania’s Transgaz for Onshore Hydrogen Gas Transport
20 Oct, 2026
Photo Source: Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Romania’s Transgaz signed an MoU to develop large-scale onshore hydrogen pipeline transport across Central and Eastern Europe. Kawasaki plans to conduct demonstration tests in Romania using its centrifugal hydrogen compressor technology, aiming to improve transport efficiency, reduce hydrogen supply costs and support the development of a regional hydrogen supply chain.
Kawasaki: https://global.kawasaki.com/en/corp/newsroom/news/detail/?f=20261020_2626
▶ Toyota eyes 2028 rollout of traffic-linked driver-assist system
20 Oct, 2026
Photo Source: Kyodo
Toyota plans to introduce a traffic-linked driver-assistance system in 2028 to alert drivers to hazards, including road debris and accident-prone areas. The company aims to develop AI-powered predictive safety technology using global driving data and infrastructure such as sensor-equipped smart poles. Toyota also emphasizes cross-industry collaboration, including cooperation with Qualcomm, to advance next-generation transport systems and ultimately eliminate traffic accidents.
Kyodo: https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/88864
▶ Japan offers opportunities, partnerships for defense contractor Thales: CEO
21 Oct, 2026
Photo Source: Shogo Kodama/Nikkei
French defence group Thales sees growing business opportunities in Japan as the country expands defence spending, with potential cooperation in radar, sonar and equipment maintenance. CEO Patrice Caine also highlighted opportunities for Japanese defence companies in Europe and called for international regulation of AI use in armed conflict.
▶ Mitsubishi Electric Develops Industry’s First Machining System in Which Humanoid Robots Collaborate with CNC Machine Tools
21 Oct, 2026
Source: Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric has developed an industry-first machining system that uses physical AI to coordinate humanoid robots with CNC machine tools. The system automates tasks such as machine setup, cleaning, product handling, inspection, and troubleshooting, reducing labor needs and costly production-line modifications. Aiming toward fully autonomous, unmanned factories, the technology will be demonstrated at JIMTOF 2026 in Tokyo on October 26, with practical implementation targeted for the future.
Mitsubishi Electric: https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/en/pr/2026/1021_rd/
▶ Japan startup touts AI for automakers to match Chinese car development pace
22 Oct, 2026
Nikkei montage/Source photo from a screenshot of Epic AI's website
Japanese AI startup EpicAI plans to introduce software at several automakers from spring 2027 to accelerate vehicle design reviews, aiming to cut analysis time from around 200 hours to just a few hours. The technology uses generative AI to identify potential design failures and improve efficiency while maintaining quality and safety. The initiative reflects Japanese automakers’ efforts to reduce development costs and compete with Chinese EV manufacturers that bring new models to market more quickly.
Published: October 2026
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Joint venture established in 1987 by the European Commission (DG GROW) and the Japanese Government (METI) for promoting all forms of industrial, trade and investment cooperation between the EU and Japan.
Copyright © 2026 EU-Japan Centre