Weekly Japanese Industry and Policy News (June 30-July 6, 2023)

The EU-Japan Centre is pleased to start a new weekly service by publishing brief summary of the latest information from the Japanese governmental organizations & private companies/organizations. A couple of minutes reading to be informed about what is happening in Japan's policy, economy, EU-Japan relations, and innovation.

*Information is deemed correct at the time of release. 
 
JAXA signs agreement with German and French research institutions for Mars satellite exploration 
On June 21, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that it signed an agreement with the German Aerospace Center and the French National Center for Space Research regarding the project "MMX" to bring back samples from the Martian satellite to the earth with a probe. Both countries are responsible for the development of a small rover to be mounted on the main body of the MMX probe. They will deepen cooperation toward the launch in 2024. 
 
Along with the signing of the agreement, the two European institutions also revealed that they have decided to name their small rover IDEFIX. The plan is to complete IDEFIX in the summer of 2023, and proceed with the final stage of development. MMX is scheduled to be launched in fiscal 2024, and a sample of the Martian moon Phobos will be delivered to Earth in fiscal 2029. If all goes well, it could be the first mission to bring back soil around Mars. 
 
The technology to collect and bring back samples of soil, sand, etc. from extraterrestrial bodies is called "sample return." Japan has strengths in asteroid exploration with Hayabusa and Hayabusa2, which returned to Earth in 2010 and 2020. Both the German and French agencies also worked with JAXA to develop landers for the Hayabusa2 project. 
 
JAXA website: 
https://global.jaxa.jp/news/2023/#news21309 
 
Japanese version of "Product Safety Pledge" started, seven online marketplaces signed 
On June 29, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced that seven major online marketplace operators (OM) had signed the Japanese version of the "Product Safety Pledge," and that it had started in earnest. In the signed OM, (1) Efforts to delete the listing of recalled products and products that violate laws and regulations that stipulate safety standards, etc., and (2) Efforts in the event that a consumer is notified of the listing of recalled products or products that violate laws and ordinances stipulating safety standards, etc., are requested. In addition, an internal control system will be established and maintained to implement these efforts. 
 
The Product Safety Pledge was signed by the European Commission in June 2018, by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in November 2020, and by the Korean Fair-Trade Commission and the Korean Consumer Agency in April 2021, respectively, with multiple OM. Then, at the OECD International Conference on Consumers held in June 2021, the "Product Safety Pledge Statement" was announced, showing the main commitments required for the "Product Safety Pledge". In response to this, Japan has also been working to formulate a product safety pledge from March 2022. 
 
The Product Safety Pledge aims at protecting consumers more than ever from risks to life and health, such as product fires, caused by recalled products and unsafe products listed and sold on OM. It is a voluntary initiative of public-private partnership that transcends the legal framework related to the law, and its targets are both B to C type businesses such as large-scale Internet malls and C to C type businesses such as online flea markets and Internet auctions.  
 
METI website (in Japanese): 
https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2023/06/20230629001/20230629001.html 
 
METI Minister Nishimura signed a memorandum of cooperation on semiconductors with European Commissioner Breton and had a meeting 
On July 4, Mr. Nishimura, METI Minister, held a meeting after concluding a memorandum of cooperation on semiconductors with Mr. Breton, Commissioner of the European Union. Prior to the meeting, both signed a memorandum of cooperation regarding semiconductors; the establishment of an early warning mechanism to deal with supply chain disruptions, R&D on next-generation semiconductors, human resource development, creation of use cases for cutting-edge semiconductors, and transparency of subsidies.  
  
At the meeting that followed, they confirmed that they would continue to work together under the Japan-EU Digital Partnership on cyber security, the realization of DFFT, and Japan-EU cooperation in digital fields such as quantum. In addition, discussions were held on strengthening supply chains in fields such as important minerals and batteries, and on strengthening future cooperation in the space and defense industries. In the evening of the same day, Breton's Commissioner attended a seminar hosted by RIETT, the Japan-EU Center for Industrial Cooperation, etc., and gave a lecture on economic security and the strengthening of the Japan-EU partnership. 
 
METI website: 
https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2023/07/20230704002/20230704002-1.pdf 
 
EUJC website: 
Recorded video of the seminar on July 4, 2023 
 
Japan-EU digital ministerial meeting held, agreed to strengthen collaboration on semiconductors and submarine cables　 
On June 3, Japan and the European Union (EU) held a ministerial-level meeting at the Digital Agency to promote cooperation in the digital field, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of semiconductors and submarine cables connecting Japan and the EU. 
 
This ministerial-level meeting is based on the Japan-EU Digital Partnership, which was agreed to be launched at the Japan-EU Summit Meeting in May last year, and is the first such meeting. Digital Minister Kono and Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Matsumoto attended from Japan, and Commissioner Breton of the European Commission (in charge of the internal market) attended from the EU. In the joint statement, it was confirmed that Japan and the EU will establish a forum for permanent communication with the aim of "realizing trustworthy AI". It also stated that both sides would contribute to the discussions on the "Hiroshima AI Process" advocated at the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May. 
 
In addition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the EU signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on the development and utilization of submarine cables. Demand for submarine cables is expected to increase in a digitalized society. Japan and the EU will set up a forum for relevant parties to discuss the development of a new route connecting the two country/regions via the Arctic Circle, citing the possibility of revitalizing data distribution. In addition, they confirmed mutual cooperation in utilization such as operating a system that detects failures in submarine cables and detecting signs of disasters using submarine cables. 
 
METI website: 
https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2023/07/20230703003/20230703003-4.pdf 
 
MAFF selects 4 J-credit projects 
On June 28, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) announced that it had approved four new J-credit projects in the agricultural field, namely, the extension of the drying period for paddy rice cultivation and the application of biochar to agricultural land. A total of 4 projects were approved this time: 3 projects to reduce CH4 by extending the drying period in rice cultivation, and 1 project to reduce CO2 by applying biochar to farmland. 
 
Methane (CH4) generated from paddy fields is produced by the action of anaerobic methanogens from organic matter contained in soil and organic matter given as fertilizer. To reduce methane emissions from paddy fields, it is important to lengthen the falling water period (NAKABOSHI). Extending the period of NKABOSHI (the process of draining the water from the paddy field and drying the surface of the paddy field during the cultivation period to control the growth of the paddy field during the cultivation period of paddy rice before heading) by 7 days reduced 30% of methane generated.  
 
Biochar is a soil improvement material that is recognized for its ability to retain carbon in the soil and improve the permeability of the soil. If the carbon contained in wood, bamboo, etc., which are the raw materials of biochar, is left as it is, it will be decomposed by the activity of microorganisms and released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. However, by carbonizing wood, bamboo, etc. and applying it to agricultural soil as biochar, it is possible to trap the carbon in the soil (carbon sequestration) and reduce its release into the atmosphere. 
 
MAFF website (in Japanese): 
https://www.maff.go.jp/j/press/kanbo/b_kankyo/230628.html 
 
IAEA releases comprehensive report on safety review of ALPS treated water 
On July 4, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published a summary report on the safety review of ALPS treated water from the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, which has been recommended between the Japanese government and the agency. The IAEA Director-General delivered the report to Prime Minister Kishida. 
 
The IAEA Comprehensive Report states; 1) The IAEA believes that the approach to the release of ALPS-treated water into the ocean and actions by TEPCO, the Nuclear Regulation Authority and the Government of Japan are consistent with relevant international safety standards, 2) The IAEA states that TEPCO's currently planned ocean discharge of ALPS-treated water will have negligible radiation effects on humans and the environment. 
The IAEA also committed to engage with Japan regarding the release of ALPS-treated water before, during and after release. The IAEA said that additional reviews and monitoring will continue, providing additional transparency and reassurance to the international community, too. The government of Japan noted that after confirming the details of the report, it will disseminate information both domestically and internationally with transparency. 
 
IAEA website: 
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-finds-japans-plans-to-release-treated-water-into-the-sea-at-fukushima-consistent-with-international-safety-standards