Policy Seminar

International region-to-region cooperation is an effective means for bringing dynamism to regional economy by internationalizing activities of local entities, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Forms of regional cooperation are well diversified, covering wide range of activities such as export-import of commodities, trade in services, investment, business partnerships (B2Bs), collaboration in research, technology development and innovation, and promotion of people mobility. Such cases of region-to-region cooperation in industry, trade, investment and innovation already exist between Europe and Japan, including collaboration between clusters.

On the occasion of the visit of Mr. Julien Guerrier, Director of the European Commission Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME), the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation organized a briefing on EASME's support for European SMEs.

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation and the European Commission (DG SANTE) jointly organised the international seminar on animal health in Tokyo.

This seminar was intended to cast a light on how the new technologies of IoT and 3D printing may benefit from the current IP system and reciprocally, how the IP system has to be adapted to such cutting-edge technologies. The key points of discussion were the following: a) The current status of IoT and 3D printing from the point of view of intellectual property. Exploring further, the commonalities and differences in the examination process of Japan and Europe through reviewing most recent IoT and 3D printing related patent applications and inventions. b) The scope and limit of the international framework of Intellectual Property reviewed with emphasis on Europe and Japan, to serve businesses in IoT and 3D printing. c) Impacts on businesses were discussed in light of IoT and 3D printing stimulating new discussions in the IP sphere.

During the seminar. speakers explained the most important elements of the agreement from their own viewpoint and expressed hopes for further development of EU-Japan relationship.