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There is one simple reason behind the founding and growth of the European Business Council in Japan (EBC): frustration.

In addition to the small matter of the impending climate catastrophe, the global energy crisis should be another reason to hasten the shift away from fossil fuels.

CRYO TOKYO uses cryotherapy, also known as cold therapy, to give customers a multitude of “cool” health benefits.

Founded in 1961, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental body, with 38 member countries, that works to improve economic progress and global trade through international standard-setting and knowledge-sharing.

Höganäs Japan helps make components more sustainable

Founded in Japan in 2007, and now with an office in the US, ProWorks Group is a business support firm with a team of more than 40 bilingual specialists in Japan.

After serving in Switzerland’s National Council from 2007 to 2017, Ignazio Cassis was elected to the Federal Council in 2017 and has headed the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs since taking office.

This year, Alexander Schallenberg marks 25 years with Austria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having joined the diplomatic service in 1997.

Since 1981, Dassault Systèmes’ products have been transforming businesses.

Japan has produced the well-ordered simplicity of Zen, as well as the spectacle of colour and text found on Shinjuku and Shibuya’s neon-lit streets.

In 2003, Dr Anže Logar left the private sector to work as an adviser to Slovenian members of the European Parliament.

In addition, if a firm relies on contracts with data handlers or processers overseas, the company in Japan now must have them audited regularly to ensure they are complying with Japanese data protection standards.

Mölnlycke Health Care products are contributing to positive patient outcomes every day. They enable surgeons to work more efficiently in the operating room and help doctors and nurses to achieve the best long-term clinical results for their patients.

With the high speeds, roaring engines, and riders leaning just millimetres over the track during turns, there’s nothing quite as thrilling as a motorcycle race.

Since 1985, Ambassador of Italy to Japan Gianluigi Benedetti has served his nation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His first overseas posting was to Japan, from 1987 to 1991, then he worked at the Italian embassy in the US from 1991 to 1995.

The perfect illustration of resistance to the digitalisation of government in Japan can be seen in the former reform minister Taro Kono’s quest to end the use of faxes.

With over 14 million residents, Tokyo is one of the world’s most populous cities. In order to achieve a sustainable recovery — as our continually evolving society emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic — Tokyo needs to make use of the full potential of our women, who make up half of the population.

Cornerstone Recruitment Japan is the fastest growing recruitment business in Japan. Established in 2019 with investment from Morgan Stanley, it strives to be the recruitment partner of choice for Japan-based international companies.

Many online purchase and payment experiences in Japan are not optimal. Common complaints include a complex checkout process, a lack of trust in the website, and sites freezing or crashing.

Since 2012, Gregor Muischneek has served Switzerland in the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). In addition to postings to China, Kenya, and Germany, he has worked in the Directorate of Political Affairs and the Directorate of International Law in Berne.

At their best, internships will offer students or other young people valuable experience and insight into a company, industry, and the world of work.

Divine Solutions Japan is a recruitment agency specialising in the financial services and technology sectors.

Japan cares deeply about beauty. According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the value of the nation’s cosmetics and personal care market was $35 billion in 2019 — the third largest in the world, after the US and China.

Sophie Wilmès is Belgium’s deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs, European affairs, foreign trade, and the federal cultural institutions.

Lost revenue due to the global semiconductor shortage is estimated to have topped $200 billion in the auto industry alone in 2021.

Tokyo American Club’s exceptional recreation and dining facilities might well put it in the top 1% of global membership clubs. But it’s the club’s close-knit, international community that members cherish most.

Niklas Karvonen has been community director of the Nordic Innovation House Tokyo since it opened in May of last year. His experience in trade promotion for Finland, at a Japanese startup, and in event planning and community building for a coding education firm made him an ideal candidate for the role.

In 1668, Friedrich Jacob Merck founded a small pharmacy in Darmstadt, Germany. Still headquartered in Darmstadt, the Merck Group is the oldest pharmaceutical firm in the world, as well as one of the largest.

At the COP26 summit in Glasgow last month, commitments of the kind needed to meaningfully address the climate crisis were notable by their absence.

MOSCA’s high-performance strapping machines, bands, and sealing technologies secure goods in transit. Its products offer maximal uptime and minimal environmental impact.

In 1876, Erwin Bälz became one of the first Western doctors to teach medicine at the University of Tokyo, and he later became the personal physician to Emperor Meiji.

On 16 September, the EU announced the details of its Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo–Pacific.

This year, Martin Eberts marks 35 years in Germany’s Federal Foreign Service.

Ducati’s mission is to enrich people’s lives through amazing experiences with beautiful, high-tech two-wheelers of the most exceptional quality.

On 8 October 1871, a small rubber manufacturer opened in Hanover, Germany, and began producing rubber horseshoes. Today, that same firm has some 193,000 employees worldwide and operates in 58 countries.

First elected to Japan’s House of Representatives in 1990, Nobuteru Ishihara has served his country as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for more than three decades.

The recent jaunts of billionaires into space have attracted a great deal of attention — for ushering in the age of space tourism and also for how they starkly illustrate the inequality of life on Earth. But for the foreseeable future, human spaceflight, and unmanned missions to other planets, will represent a fraction of the rapidly expanding space industry.

Boyden Japan helps international and local firms expand in Japan by connecting them with high-calibre leaders in all major industry sectors.

Woman have made extraordinary contributions in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

This is a year of celebration. In 1981 — in fact, 40 years ago this month — the German automotive giant BMW launched its operations in Japan.

When people speak about Japan’s declining birth rate, it’s sometimes pointed out that there are now more pets than children in Japan. But, in reality, that is true of many countries, including France and England. Nevertheless, the Japanese pet market is a large one, with more than 9.6 million cats and nearly 8.5 million dogs, along with a host of other companion animals.

Since 1984, Ambassador of Japan to the EU Yasushi Masaki has been serving his nation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has held many positions throughout his career, including roles at Japan’s embassies in France and Iran, and has worked in Tokyo in the fields of international law, as well as economic and security affairs.

ShunTokyo is an international bilingual marketing agency led by Shun Iwai, the firm’s creative director. Iwai has over three decades of experience in international marketing, and he was Apple’s creative director for Japan, a role he held for 11 years.

From January through May, people visiting Tokyo’s Aoyama district had the chance to see the next stage in the evolution of the premium automobile.

As the global coronavirus vaccination rollout continues, the issue of ensuring safe cross-border travel is garnering more attention. A key factor will be internationally accepted vaccine passports that prove travellers have been fully inoculated or are not infectious.

Based in Brussels, the Japan Business Council in Europe (JBCE) is a business organisation that promotes open trade and investment, and advocates for the interests of Japanese firms with operations in the EU. Last year, Chris Jackson, president and CEO of NEC Europe, became president of the JBCE. He is committed to strengthening partnerships between Japan and the EU.

Career Scout Japan (CSJ) is a recruitment firm that specialises in senior-level accounting and finance, supply chain, and HR placements for international companies.

With a business culture founded on in-person interaction and lengthy consensus-based decision-making processes, Japan Inc. wasn’t prepared to respond quickly to the changes the pandemic demanded of it.

The nearly week-long blockage of the Suez Canal in March delivered a sharp reminder as to just how crucial cargo shipping is to global trade: around 50,000 vessels carry about 90% of the goods that cross oceans.

Masaki Sakuyama joined the manufacturing giant Mitsubishi Electric Corporation as an engineer in 1977. He was appointed president and CEO in 2014, and he has been chairman since 2018.

Since Scandinavian Living was founded in Aabenraa, Denmark, in 1990, it has supplied exclusive Scandinavian lifestyle products to Japan.

In Japan, the golf world is protective of its image of exclusivity. The sport is dominated by rules, traditions, and tan trousers — which means it’s not seen as a game that’s fun for all. But a revolution is already underway, and its first target is the clothing.

If this were a normal Olympic year, many countries would soon be opening their national houses and pavilions. These spaces, which can take years to plan, give countries a chance to promote tourism and business, host cultural events, and provide their athletes with a place to connect with the media — and to party.

Simon Coveney was elected to the Dáil (Irish Parliament) in 1998, becoming one of the youngest members of parliament to repraesent his party, Fine Gael. He has served as Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for Brexit, and as Tánaiste (deputy prime minister).

In the 20 years since Passlogy’s founding, its pattern-based authentication software has become a leading solution for major Japanese companies and government agencies. Every day, over one million people use this software to securely access their computer systems both locally and remotely.

We know that every parent wants to see their child get the very best education. Since Japan is home to so many excellent international schools, it’s important to take the time to find the right one.

Back in 2009, Pontus Häggström, president and CEO of FCA Japan, learned an interesting lesson in business management: “Sometimes it’s harder to stop doing something than to start something.” That was the year he proposed dropping the moderately successful Dodge brand in Japan to focus on promoting Jeep — which, at the time, was selling roughly 1,000 cars a year.

SMEs are the backbone of the economy in both Europe and Japan, but many of them have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic and face an uncertain outlook, despite government support schemes.

This year, Ambassador of Switzerland to Japan Dr Andreas Baum celebrates 30 years in the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. In addition to postings in Turkey and Canada, he has been minister and deputy permanent representative of Switzerland to the United Nations in New York.

Lindt & Sprüngli is a global leader in the premium chocolate sector, and is the epitome of Swiss quality.

On 17 March, a district court in Sapporo became the first in Japan to rule that not allowing same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. This landmark decision is being regarded as a major step towards seeing same-sex unions legalised in Japan.

It’s easy to indulge your sweet tooth in Japan, but it can be hard to choose how you do it. The sheer range of confectionary treats on offer — even just at the convenience store — makes it difficult for established brands to stand out, let alone new market entrants. Vidal Candies, however, has made rapid headway into the market by catching eyes as successfully as it satisfies cravings.

The world of the 2002 Steven Spielberg film Minority Report, set in the year 2054, seems to be creeping up on us. When Tom Cruise’s character walks around in public, smart billboards recognise his face and pitch him cars and beer.

An expert in innovation, disruption, and global governance, Manuel Muñiz Villa was appointed to the post of state secretary for global Spain in January 2020.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe provides legal solutions for visionary companies in the energy, technology and innovation, and finance sectors.

“There are only a small number of licensed tax advisors who can provide this kind of advice in English in Japan” Going by the book Yukiyasu […]

The aviation industry has been one of the most visible commercial victims of Covid-19, as countries around the world have attempted to keep the spread of the virus in check with a raft of restrictions on international travel.

Since joining the foreign service in 2003, Ambassador of Slovenia to Japan Dr Ana Polak Petrič has served her country in a variety of roles.

Marelli is one of the world’s leading independent suppliers to the automotive sector.

The past year has been challenging for many businesses as the Covid-19 pandemic led to a dramatic drop in demand for goods and services — and it has been especially worrying for newer SMEs.

A member of the European Commission since 2014, Valdis Dombrovskis has, since 2019, served the European Union as executive vice president of the European Commission for an Economy that Works for People since 2019 and as EU commissioner for trade since August of last year.

On the front lines of the fight against climate change, veteran campaigners for the environment have an unlikely ally: institutional investors that are choosing to invest in environmentally responsible firms and keeping their cash away from big polluters.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Yokohama is an authorised dealer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited vehicles, with extensive experience and a long track record of providing discerning customers with both expertly crafted automotive masterpieces and the highest standards of service.

“Chinese people’s views on Japan have fundamentally changed” Unlimited potential CastGlobalGroup advises on investment opportunities in China   JANUARY 2021 Business Spotlight / Text by Toby […]

One bright spot during the global pandemic has been the development and approval of multiple vaccines against Covid-19 — all in under a year.

Japan has not hosted an ambassador from the United States of America since July 2019. While it doesn’t indicate a collapse in bilateral ties, the vacancy symbolises changes in the longstanding relationship.

Doing business in Japan can be complex. ProWorks Group works to make it easier.

Tokyo’s fine dining restaurants are suffering. Due to the spread of Covid-19, residents of the metropolis have cut back significantly on going out for quality meals this year in order to stay safe.

Denmark’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeppe Kofod, a Social Democratic politician, was first elected as a member of Danish parliament in 1998.

On 25 November, the European Parliament voted in favour of a resolution giving consumers the right to repair electronic devices, as well as other measures designed to increase the lifespan and recyclability of products.

Catherine O’Connell, principal of Catherine O’Connell Law, is an experienced bilingual lawyer who provides SMEs and corporate clients with commercially savvy legal advice using a “flexi-lawyer” model.

While the flying car might still be some years off, the next stage in the evolution of the automobile is well under way.

During a recent ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Shinjuku, a priest chanted sutras to memorialise the departed.

For more than 30 years, Ambassador of Germany to Japan Ina Lepel has served her nation in the Federal Foreign Office.

Nihon Cyber Defence provides customised solutions to safeguard private organisations and institutions in Japan against all forms of cyberattacks.

Imagine an interconnected medical system capable of monitoring elderly individuals’ health in real time

Ambassador of Poland to Japan Paweł Milewski’s career has had a strong focus on Asia

On 8 March, a few days before the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic

CastGlobalGroup is a global cross-functional consulting firm, which integrates legal, accounting, tax, HR, and investment services

Twelve months ago, no one could have predicted a pandemic would force a major shift in the way the world works.

A record number of women have joined Japan’s workforce, but the government has admitted that its deadline of 2020 to see 30% of women holding leadership roles in the public and private sectors has been missed — and missed badly.

At the beginning of April, the government of Japan imposed a ban on entry and re-entry into the country as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic, but this move would ultimately leave an estimated 190,000 permanent and long-term non-Japanese residents stranded abroad.

It’s been easy to feel down this year. Many of the things that make us happy — such as trips, festivals, and parties — had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Founded in Tokyo in 2016 by Japanese and US lawyers from top global firms, southgate advises on inbound and outbound M&A, venture capital, and commercial matters.

Edo Castle — the nexus of power of the Tokugawa Shogunate and now part of the Imperial Palace complex — was the site of political authority, as well as drama and upheaval, for five centuries.

Green issues have been a major focus of Pekka Haavisto’s career since he became a member of Finnish parliament in 1987

When public health is at stake, the sharing of information between medical institutions, tech companies, and government agencies can mean the difference between containing a pandemic and allowing it to spiral out of control.

K&L Gates is an international law firm with approximately 1,700 lawyers across five continents. Its Tokyo office offers full-service Japanese legal advice with a focus on commercial, healthcare, employment law, and Japanese litigation, as well as cross-border M&A, asset finance, and intellectual property matters.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Czech Republic has developed a platform called Connecting Czech Republic — under the umbrella of the nation’s Country for the Future innovation strategy…

With more than a third of Japan’s population expected to be 65 and over by 2050, there will be a growing number of creaky knees and arthritic joints across the country.

The coronavirus pandemic has revealed the fragility of our interconnected global economy. The world is now counting the cost of broken supply chains and a resulting shortage of materials and products.

Umicore is a global materials technology and recycling group that dedicates most of its R&D efforts to developing clean mobility materials and recycling solutions.

We know that every parent wants to see their child get the very best education. Since Japan is home to so many excellent international schools, it’s important to take the time to find the right one.

After becoming one of the worst-hit countries in Europe for cases of Covid-19, Spain has eased its lockdown measures and is working to carefully reopen its economy.

Against the backdrop of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the EBC is releasing its 2020 white paper, Strengthening partnerships in crisis and opportunities alike.

Office Mugino is a Tokyo-based brand consultancy firm with branches and partnerships in several countries including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Spain, and the US.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games raised expectations for domestic and international businesses in Japan, which envisioned an unprecedented year for the economy. Unfortunately, Covid-19 and its tragic aftermath have brought a 2020 that no one could have imagined.

Although it will still be a while before the elusive flying car takes to the skies, automated driving has arrived. Well, almost.

As the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, Ambassador of the EU to Japan Patricia Flor sat down with Eurobiz Japan — at a safe social distance — to speak about the EU’s response to the coronavirus…

Founded in 1885, Swiss firm USM creates modular furniture for a diverse clientele of businesses and individuals.

In the first three months of the new decade, the European Business Council in Japan (EBC) underwent some of the biggest structural and aesthetic changes since it was founded in 1972.

The iconic David Bowie had many faces (and hairstyles) over the more than four decades of his career.

Technology is changing the recruitment industry. New services — such as online interviews, video CVs and AI-enabled resume matching — have allowed many firms to accelerate their processes.

For three years, Ambassador of Italy to Japan Giorgio Starace has been successfully promoting trade, businesses, and culture from Italy in Japan.

Japan’s 2.2% unemployment rate may be a point of pride for the country among the Group of Seven (G7) nations, but its workforce has not historically been a paragon of productivity.

The first and only international science school in Japan, Laurus International School of Science focuses on providing an interdisciplinary science

Are you ready for the digital economy?

After working as an interpreter, Roxane de Bilderling began a career in diplomacy in 2000, working first in Brussels and then as first secretary at the Embassy of Belgium in Nairobi, where she was also deputy permanent representative to the UN Environment Programme and the UN Human Settlement Programme.

Not everyone is enthused about Japan’s experiment with increasing immigration. Last April, the government tweaked its visa rules to allow more workers from abroad.

Founded in 1974, PMC is one of Tokyo’s foremost business development firms for foreign businesses.

People look to their leaders to guide them through challenges and changes. But as corporate Japan confronts the need to revolutionise its many outdated practices, are Japan Inc.’s leaders up to the task?

In the mid-19th century, George Pullman founded the luxury railroad manufacturing business the Pullman Company, which is credited with building the US’s first sleeping cars.

This month, Eurobiz Japan celebrates its 10th anniversary. It marks a decade of coverage on the strengthening of ties between the EU and Japan.

Last year was an important milestone in diplomatic ties between Austria and Japan as they celebrated 150 years of bilateral relations, holding numerous events in both countries to mark the occasion.

Last year was a groundbreaking one for Heineken, with the spectacular success of Rugby World Cup Japan 2019, for which it was a worldwide partner.

With more than 30 years at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, Susanne Welter has had a number of diverse postings, including to countries in Africa, Europe and Central Asia.

In 1554, German theologian Caspar Huberinus coined the expression, “Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis”, or, “The times change, and we change with them”, to express an undeniable reality of life.

Although ideological holdouts remain, denying the mounting evidence of climate change is becoming akin to refusing to believe the earth is round.

Hogan Lovells is an international law firm with over 45 offices globally. It has been in Japan for nearly 30 years.

While Japan’s manufactured goods are known worldwide for their quality and durability, the country’s real estate doesn’t share a reputation for longevity.

During his nearly four decades in the Danish foreign service, Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Denmark to Japan Peter Taksøe-Jensen has had numerous roles, including helping to negotiate the first treaty on conventional arms in Europe and developing NATO policy.

Japan is struggling to shake off its image as a vaccination backwater. Even though it has made progress in closing the “vaccination gap” with the US and the EU over the past decade, and most children here undergo routine inoculations…

The EU–Japan Business Round Table (BRT) was founded in 1999 as a way for multinational businesses, as well as other organisations, from both the EU and Japan to discuss how to improve and increase trade and investment between the two trading powers.

Founded in London in 2005, Proclinical provides recruitment and consulting services, specialising in assisting the life-sciences sector.
It recently opened the newest of its 14 offices in Tokyo.

In 2016, Neale Richmond was elected to the Seanad, Ireland’s Senate, and currently acts as its spokesperson on European affairs. Europe has been an important area of focus for him since serving, early in his career, on the EU’s Committee of the Regions in Brussels.

As scientists’ understanding of human biology, pharmacology and life sciences continues to grow, there is an increasing need around the world for specialists to research and to develop applications for the advances being made.

Once the Tokyo Game Show 2019 opened its doors at Makuhari Messe last month, it drew more than 260,000 people. And, last year, Japan’s mobile games market — the world’s oldest — ballooned to $13.3 billion, up from $9.3 billion in 2015.

Founded in 1997, Beare Consulting is a leading market entry firm based in Tokyo. It offers foreign businesses an extensive suite of services, including company registration, local market assessment, the creation of market entry plans, business development and channel management.

Before joining Iceland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1998, Ambassador Elín Flygenring earned a law degree from the University of Iceland and a Master’s in comparative law from Stockholm University, and she worked for Iceland’s Equality Council, the Nordic Council, and as a director of the Parliament of Iceland’s International Department.

Even in a nation with a somewhat infamous reputation for bureaucracy, one of Japan’s more anachronistic practices is the continued, widespread use of revenue stamps.

Theme parks are fun places of wonderous scale, focused vision and careful attention to detail, but have you ever considered how they come to be?

Founded in Switzerland in 1964, Egon Zehnder is a global leadership advisory firm. It has one goal: to empower its clients to drive lasting, positive change through leadership.

The traditional aspects of Japanese culture inevitably charm visitors to the country, but the traditional, paper-based processes still used at many Japanese companies inevitably frustrate those who work here. Edenred Japan has taken note and is moving quickly to modernise its business.

Part of Jorge Toledo Albiñana’s 30-year career at Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been focused on the European Union and European affairs, including roles as director of the Department of European Affairs and G20 in the prime minister’s office, and secretary of state for the EU in the Spanish government.

Japan’s dairy sector is changing thanks to a combination of reforms to domestic regulations and the EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

Set in the natural beauty of Jinsekikogen, Hiroshima Prefecture, Jinseki International School will be Japan’s first primary boarding school when it opens in April of next year. It will combine an exceptional standard of education with individual care for every child who lives and learns there.

At the funeral home where I work, pumps are part of the dress code, and I tweeted about how much they were making my feet hurt with the hashtag #KuToo — a play on the Japanese words for shoe (kutsu) and pain (kutsuu), and a nod to #MeToo.

In the era of globalisation, every company with vision strives to build a business empire on which the sun never sets.

With a background in both business and academia, Andrej Bertoncelj brings decades of practical experience and theoretical understanding to his role as Slovenia’s finance minister.

The Reiwa era has begun in Japan with the tightest labour market in 35 years, with more women, seniors, foreigners and even robots in the workforce than ever. But will better working conditions emerge?

SGS Group is the world leader in testing, inspection, certification and advisory services, ensuring the safety, quality and sustainability of customers’ products and services.

Self-improvement is one thing. Improving your company is another. But it’s something else entirely to try and improve the image of the industry you work in. Ash Elfadeli, CEO at JAC International, a subsidiary of JAC Recruitment, is aiming to do just this — and as with any lofty ambition, he’s making sure to get the small things right.

After 10 years in academia, with a focus on international economic law and East Asia, Ivo Kaufmann decided to take up a post in the Swiss government. Since 1992, he has held several positions, mainly in trade and investment. Before coming to Tokyo, he served as deputy permanent representative to the World Trade Organization in Geneva for four years.

Producers, retailers and imbibers of alcoholic beverages are some of the biggest beneficiaries of the removal of tariffs since the EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) came into force on 1 February. Yet while many are toasting the lower prices and higher exports, not everyone is fully satisfied.

The guiding principle of Zensho Agency (www.zensho.agency) is freedom. It empowers and inspires people to achieve what matters most in life. The firm’s commitment to excellence makes it an ambassador for change.

When you think of a boarding school, what comes to mind might be ancient dining halls, subdued uniforms and old-fashioned educational methods. But these are just the Hogwarts-influenced stereotypes. A boarding school and its staff provide the structure and fulltime support that can be the making of a profoundly successful child.

La dolce vita — or the good life, in Italian — is a life of beauty and enjoyment, often characterised by indulgence in culture, cuisine and clothing. But, according to Pontus Häggström, president and CEO of FCA Japan Ltd., and Tiziana Alamprese, the firm’s marketing director, the Italian joy of living isn’t found only in cinemas or restaurants — it can also be found in your car.

For 20 years, Enrico Vattani has been serving Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During his career, Vattani has worked in Rome in the Press Department, on online promotion and communications, and in the Cultural Promotion Department, dealing with the 90 cultural institutes Italy has around the world and, later, focusing on contemporary art.

Houston, we have a problem. From epoch-making human exploration to the launch of weather and telecommunications satellites, our growing presence beyond Earth’s atmosphere has generated a troublesome byproduct: space junk floating around in orbit that poses a risk to spacecraft and astronauts.

Money is not the only motivator. There are also good meals. Edenred Japan offers to boost both employee loyalty and productivity by providing businesses with lunch payment solutions for workers, which they can use at participating eateries and convenience stores, a service called Ticket Restaurant.

As the EU’s commissioner for trade, Cecilia Malmström lives to strengthen connections and increase prosperity. She oversaw negotiations on the EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the world’s biggest and most comprehensive trade pact, which came into force on 1 February.

For more than a decade, it looked like pirates might sink the music industry. After annual physical album sales peaked in 1999 at $25.2 billion globally, the rampant spread of online piracy nearly halved the industry’s revenue, bringing it down to $14.3 billion in 2014.

Austria and Japan established diplomatic ties in 1869 with the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, and this year marks 150 years of close bilateral relations.

As Tokyo’s premier health and fitness centre, Club 360 is your one-stop-shop for personal training, boxing, physiotherapy, osteopathy, sports massage and group fitness classes. 

Sporting IWC timepieces at the annual tradeshow were celebrities such as Bradley Cooper, Rosamund Pike, Dev Patel, James Marsden and Ryohei Suzuki. They were there to promote a new line of 14 IWC Pilot’s Watches, including seven revamped Spitfire watches that are meant to evoke the overall aesthetics, as well as the cockpit design, of the storied British aircraft.

Sports fans around the world are getting excited about the major sporting events set to take place in Japan this year and next: the Rugby World Cup will be held this autumn and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics next July, August and September. British Ambassador to Japan Paul Madden spoke with Eurobiz Japan about the importance of these events to the UK and the new opportunities they will bring.

Many business operators in Japan have a stake in the continuation of a smooth trading relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, but as the UK draws closer to its scheduled departure from the EU at the end of this month, firms are still struggling to assess the potential impact of Brexit on trading conditions and their supply chains.

Euft van den Berg, from the Netherlands, founded MEES International School as a place where children can be children.

America may be a republic, but there the customer is king; Japan’s emperor may not be divine, but here the customer is God — wherever you go, businesses stress the absolute primacy of the customer. But as firms the world over compete for those same kings and gods …

After working as a lawyer at an international law firm in Brussels from 2002 to 2012, Brent Van Tassel joined Belgium’s foreign service. His first posting was to Burundi, a former colony, as consul of Belgium. Since 2016, he has been serving as first secretary …

A slew of horrifying statistics — and a video of a turtle with a straw stuck in its nose — have helped raise awareness of the danger posed by disposable plastic over the past few years. Some 275 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced annually around the globe …

TÜV SÜD (www.tuvsud.com) is a trusted partner for safety, security and sustainability solutions. The 150-year old organisation, with over 24,000 employees across 1,000 locations, handles a range of testing, certification, auditing and advisory services.

Japan has long led the world in life expectancy, fuelled by a diet abundant in healthy food and drinks, such as miso, natto and green tea. But Europe is climbing the longevity ladder, with Spain now expected to capture the seniors’ title by 2040.

After Cecilia Öberg Leiram started her career as a trainee at the Swedish telecom giant Ericsson, she came to Tokyo with the Swedish Science & Technology Office. There, she covered technical developments and advances in Japan’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector …

If you’ve ever wanted to have a truly presidential experience, try driving a DS, the official car of France’s President Emmanuel Macron, as well as several of its past presidents, including Charles de Gaulle. First introduced in 1955, the DS was an immediate, popular success …

Vanguard Lawyers Tokyo, founded in 2017, is a boutique law firm that specialises in advising international clients on disputes and investigations, employment issues, regulatory matters and corporate matters in Japan.

Kienbaum is one of Europe’s leading executive search firms, operating on the belief that human capital is the decisive factor for success when faced with global competition. “Our comprehensive consultation approach ensures that, together with our clients …

As you look out across the Tokyo megalopolis from the viewing platform of any skyscraper, open-mouthed wonder at the city’s sheer scale all too often gives way to sadness when you realise that the buildings within this cityscape, laid bare below …

Born in Tokyo, Georg Löer moved to Bonn — in the German state of North Rhine–Westphalia (NRW) — at the age of five. In 1974, a visit to Japan rekindled his interest in the country, so he decided to study at the International Christian University …

Legend has it that Sunomata Castle in Gifu Prefecture was built in only one night, by soldiers during a siege. It’s said they used pre-built castle parts and fit them together under cover of darkness. While the account of such swift construction is an exaggeration …

“Leschaco [www.leschaco.com] is a global logistics service provider that combines Hanseatic tradition with cosmopolitanism and a spirit of innovation,” says Hans Werner Burg, representative director of Leschaco Japan.

Picture a sunny, cloudless day at the beach with a steady breeze blowing along the shore and waves rolling across the water. These are the ideal conditions for kiteboarding, a water sport in which you are harnessed to a kite and pulled along on a small surfboard by the wind.

It has taken a while to get used to the idea that Japan — long considered an expensive destination only for the truly adventurous traveller — is now a global tourism hotspot.
The evidence is impossible to ignore: the fleets of coaches depositing parties of travellers …

“The times change, and we change with them.” While the truth of this proverb is evident, Japan can sometimes seem determined to stay the same. Even as the government promotes the idea of an “ageless society” — in which workers are encouraged not to retire at 60 …

The impetus for Japanese companies to expand operations overseas continues to strengthen in light of the grim long-term prospects for domestic growth — despite the current relative boom times. And while projects abroad are nothing new …

For the past year, Pekka Laitinen has served as commercial counsellor at the Embassy of Finland. He first came to Japan in 1987 as a representative of a Finnish bank and has lived here for a total of 20 years. His career in banking has also taken him to the Netherlands and Russia.

ECN Hospitality — which has had success in Tokyo with TWO ROOMS GRILL|BAR and Ruby Jack’s Steakhouse & Bar — recently opened SEPTIÈME Brasserie & Bar in Nihombashi.

While we know we could probably eat better, drink less and exercise more, many of us go on happily believing that we’re actually quite healthy. Or, perhaps, we look at the cost of health food or gym memberships and think that they’re too expensive …

Founded in Italy in 1978, JAS Forwarding today operates in more than 80 countries, delivering integrated logistics and consulting services to maximise supply chain efficiencies for clients in all industries.

A career diplomat specialising in policy, Estonian Ambassador to Japan Jaak Lensment has been a witness to the development and modernisation of Estonia over the past 25 years. He has had postings in Russia, the Netherlands and Austria …

Not all that long ago, finding a decent, reasonably priced bottle of wine in Japan was something of a challenge. Restaurants aside, the limited choice generally ranged from expensive labels in department store basements or cheap …

At 237 years old, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company is leaner and more agile than ever before, with sharper vision, clearer values and a more modern mindset. Japan’s largest pharmaceutical firm has even recently had a complete makeover …

History was made in Tokyo on 17 July. At the 25th EU–Japan Summit, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, and Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, for the long-awaited signing of the EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

Technology for people with missing or non-functioning limbs has come a long way since the earliest known prosthetic: a big toe discovered on the mummified body of an Egyptian noblewoman estimated to be 3,000 years old.

Founded in Italy in 1978, JAS Forwarding today operates in more than 80 countries, delivering integrated logistics and consulting services to maximise supply chain efficiencies for clients in all industries.

“When I was a teenager, we had a ranch, and the only way we could get there was by single-engine plane,” explains Juan Rabanal, founder and CEO of fashion management consultancy Numero One. “The pilot would teach me …

I believe in the saying, “A life lived for others is the only life worth living”. I want to do everything I can to help those around me, to see that many people are happy, and so I’ve worked. To me, work is a means of meeting many people …

Apex K.K. (www.apexkk.com) is an executive search firm specialising in the recruitment of bilingual professionals from mid- to senior-level management positions. “Often in our market-driven culture, companies focus on the products …

There is a tradition of public service in Spanish Ambassador to Japan Gonzalo de Benito’s family. His father and grandfather were in the military, and his three daughters are all public servants. Ambassador de Benito has served his country …

There must be many urban residents of Japan who have arrived at a clinic or hospital and — recalling the crowded waiting areas, treatment rooms lacking privacy and consultations that seem to be over before they have even begun …

After serving for nearly four years as the European Union’s Ambassador to Japan, Viorel Isticioaia-Budura will be returning to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest, Romania, and will report for work on 1 September …

Most people reach an age, goal or position in life where they feel they’ve achieved enough and can ease up a little and enjoy the fruits of their labour. But despite being at an age where many choose to retire …

Imagine waking up in a world where everything is done for you, from chores to food preparation, all at the touch of a button or a spoken command. It may sound like something out of The Jetsons …

After nearly a year in Japan, Ambassador Giorgio Starace has settled confidently into his role, enthusiastically supporting the efforts of Italian businesses here, working to strengthen political cooperation, and promoting Italian culture.

R&M has been developing and producing cabling solutions, such as fiber optics, since 1964. “We are a leading global producer of future-proof products and systems for high-end communication and data networks” …

Since 1999, senior executives from businesses in Japan and the EU have met annually to discuss ways of encouraging greater trade and investment. The forum, called the EU–Japan Business Round Table (BRT), boasts leaders from nearly 50 well-established multinationals …

After nearly a year in Japan, Ambassador Giorgio Starace has settled confidently into his role, enthusiastically supporting the efforts of Italian businesses here, working to strengthen political cooperation, and promoting Italian culture.

European firms are helping Japan make more babies. It shouldn’t be a surprise that a country running short of children has one of the world’s busiest fertility hospitals. The Kato Ladies Clinic in Shinjuku, central Tokyo …

On 23 May 1928, a group of 51 American businessmen founded Tokyo American Club (TAC) as an exclusive place for expatriate Americans to gather. However, over the past 90 years, the club has undergone several transformations, occupying six buildings in different locations around Tokyo.

Heineken has been a proud sponsor of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) since 1995. “Rugby, like Heineken, is enjoyed all over the world,” says Martijn van Keulen, general manager of Heineken Kirin K.K.

After nearly a year in Japan, Ambassador Giorgio Starace has settled confidently into his role, enthusiastically supporting the efforts of Italian businesses here, working to strengthen political cooperation, and promoting Italian culture.

There’s a colourful, boxy graphic making the rounds on the internet these days; it looks like a calendar or the periodic table of elements, but with simple icons. The boxes are a representation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) …

The dangers that businesses are exposed to today are more considerable and diverse than ever before. One example is the threat of large-scale, organised cybertheft, brought about by the exponential growth of the digital economy …

The great blues, jazz and rock guitarists, such as Albert King, Wes Montgomery and Prince, make their instruments sing — and make it look effortless. When he was in his teens, Antoine Bourgeois, today president of Clarins Japan, wanted to know what made these musicians’ songs so good.

As we embrace the age of artificial intelligence, the relationship between cars and their owners is undergoing arguably the biggest transformation since the invention of the internal combustion engine.

Since he was a boy growing up in Thessaloniki, Greece, Leonidas Karapiperis has been fascinated by science. He studied mathematical physics at the University of Sussex, and then did his PhD in microelectronics at Cornell University.

For years, Japan has been accused of not changing fast enough. Many bemoan factors such as the nation’s shrinking population, its outdated patriarchal business world and the sluggish economy.

On 11 November 1868, Japan and Sweden signed a Treaty of Friendship, Navigation and Commerce, just two and a half weeks after the official start of the Meiji period. This year marks 150 years of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In northern Sweden, there is a small town called Lycksele that is frequently treated to the dazzling light shows of the Aurora Borealis. Leif Nilsson, general manager for Asia–Pacific at Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) …

Japan’s wind power industry is getting ready to soar. International and domestic players are introducing new technology and investing in a greater deployment of wind energy. Now it is up to the Japanese government to …

Competition is heating up for a limited talent pool of bilingual professionals to staff a booming corporate Japan. In this climate, two businesses — the bilingual arms of Japanese recruitment giant Recruit Group — serving the sector are undergoing a rebranding.

The 1872 novel A Dog of Flanders, by English author Marie Louise de la Ramée, struck a chord with readers in Japan on its release, and is considered a children’s classic here. Set in Antwerp, Belgium, this tragic story of a boy and his dog was made into a popular anime series …

Imagine a scheme that boosts productivity, employee health and loyalty; costs just ¥200–¥300 a day; and is essentially tax free. Surely employers would jump at the chance to sign on the dotted line, particularly those in a country facing chronic personnel shortages …

In 1991, Slovenia became an independent country. Simona Leskovar, who is ambassador to Japan today, was part of the first generation of independent Slovenians attending university. After graduating from the international relations programme …

No doubt to the disappointment of many British children, Toys “R” Us announced at the end of 2017 the closure of a third of its stores in the UK, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. Earlier, the American retailer had filed for bankruptcy in the US and Canada …

India’s festival of colour, Holi, is a vibrant celebration of good over evil, where people throw coloured powder and spray water at one another. With its origins in the Hindu legend of the god Vishnu defeating the demoness Holika …

King Arthur sought the Holy Grail; Captain Ahab the White Whale; and Dorothy the Wizard of Oz. German pharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim is also on a quest, or, rather, a number of concurrent quests — to find unmet …

For nearly four years, His Excellency Dr Hans Carl von Werthern has been ambassador of Germany to Japan, working to strengthen political dialogue, economic cooperation and cultural exchange between the two like-minded nations.

Get behind the wheel of a Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid and you’ll notice a small wheel within the steering wheel. Turn this driving-mode dial to Sport Plus and your seatbelt will automatically tighten, and the engine will growl when you give it gas.

One numeral. One letter. But combined, they stand for a revolution in wireless communication, lavishing smartphones with high-speed connections and changing the way we watch, listen and interact on the go.

“In a way, business is all about pricing,” says Pawel Komender, founder of PJK Strategy and Marketing Specialists. “Companies need to manage their prices wisely to stay profitable.”

Would you offer your dinner guests some pungent cheese, a couple slices of dry-cured meat and a postprandial glass of blended brandy? Or, more likely, would you rather forego those prosaic descriptions …

On 6 December, Finns around the world will celebrate Finland’s 100th anniversary as an independent nation. Ambassador of Finland to Japan Jukka Siukosaari has been celebrating this historic occasion all year long.

At the turn of the millennium, then-president of Finnair Keijo Suila made a bold — and risky — decision to invest seriously in routes to Asia. It was a time when traffic from the continent only accounted for 6% of the airline’s revenue.

If you’ve ever wondered about the tools needed to bore through mountains, wonder no more. Atlas Copco, Sweden’s biggest industrial group, is currently using its hydraulic drilling rigs to help carve out the maglev line …

Finland joined the EU in 1995, the same year Marjut Hannonen completed her post-graduate studies in EU law. The next year, she became one of Finland’s first EU officials and has spent her career at the European Commission …

If you want to get a glimpse of the future of transport in Tokyo, hop on one of the hydrogen buses at Tokyo Station. Not only do they let you enjoy the scenic route to Tokyo Big Sight — the capital’s premiere exhibition venue …

It’s estimated that by 2050 there will be more than 1.5 billion people over 65 years old on the planet. Today, in Japan — with its ongoing low birth rate — the issue of the ageing society is particularly pronounced.

One man’s feast is another man’s famine. The shortage of qualified workers in many crucial fields in Japan is proving a challenge for companies across the board. With bilingual professionals in ever shorter supply …

In October 2018, an Ariane rocket will blast off from Kourou, French Guiana, taking space exploration into an unknown world, and Japanese-European cooperation into a new era.

Having won a scholarship to study political science in Bulgaria from 1995 to 1999, Leon Malazogu, today Kosovo’s ambassador to Japan, was safe during most of the Kosovo War.

The gender equality statistics for Japan are not encouraging. The country ranked 111th globally in the World Economic Forum’s 2016 Gender Gap Report. While Japan’s female workforce participation rate is now above the OECD average …

“Without change, we would never achieve anything,” says Peter Kronschnabl, CEO of BMW Group Japan. “Maintaining the present will always lead, at a certain point in time, to mediocrity.”

Mauro Petriccione speaks with the voice and authority of the European Union, and represents the collective interests of its member states during trade negotiations. He is chief negotiator for …

The frozen, ready-to-bake bread and food group Aryzta can trace its history back to the final years of the 19th century, when the Irish Co-Operative Agricultural Agency Society was founded in 1897 …

Japan’s love affair with high-end European bikes seems to be unquenchable. The market, once dominated by Italian steeds Colnago, Bianchi and Pinarello, expanded in the 1990s to include French offerings such as Time and Look …

“We consider ourselves to be creators of conviviality, in French créateurs de convivialité; it is our overarching reason for being,” says Tim Paech, president and CEO of Pernod Ricard Japan …

This is a year of celebration for Ireland in Japan — 2017 marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and it is the 25th anniversary of the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Tokyo.

The Luddites who outraged British industry in the early 19th century, smashing Jacquard looms in a bid to protect jobs and workers’ rights, would be horrified at the ubiquity of labour-saving machines today.

The exchange of two daruma dolls by EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström and Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida on 5 July marked the announcement of an agreement in principle on the Japan–EU …

The mayor of Tokyo’s Shibuya ward, Ken Hasebe, is responsible for introducing to his district the partnership certificate, a non-legally binding marriage certificate for same-sex couples.

Throughout his 32-year career in the foreign service, Ambassador Giorgio Starace has had postings on almost every continent. In addition to working at embassies in Guatemala and Beijing, he has served as diplomatic advisor …

In April, German-headquartered global pharma firm Boehringer Ingelheim reported worldwide sales growth for 2016 of 7.3% to €15.9 billion, and a jump in operating income to €2.9 billion. This success was driven in no small part by …

Last month brought a rare piece of good news for Japan’s 65 million workers: their wages had risen by 0.4% in real terms in 2016, the first year-on-year increase in six years, according to government data.

I’m driving down Shinjuku-dori and tapping the accelerator very gingerly. There’s a 410-horsepower Ferrari engine under my foot and it growls at the slightest touch, like a beast ready to pounce.

Saachi Partners is the fresh new face in the talent search industry in Japan. However, its founders are anything but. Mithun Soni and Ryoko Kamo have each been at the forefront of the financial services and healthcare markets for over a decade.

The predecessor to today’s The Capitol Hotel Tokyu, the Tokyo Hilton, was home to The Beatles in 1966, during their only trip to Japan to play a series of concerts at the Nippon Budokan. The Hilton had opened in 1963 …

“I read novels by Japanese authors when I was a teenager,” says Pierre-Antoine Guillon, Japan representative and Asia Pacific sales manager at Kerneos. “The atmosphere and the themes in them were quite different from what I read in French novels.”

As the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics approaches, Japan is working to bring its often unique sets of regulations — in a wide range of fields — more in line with international standards. One area receiving particular attention is food safety.

It may not be as immediately recognisable as Walmart or McDonalds but The Adecco Group is the planet’s third-largest employer after those two American behemoths. The Zurich-based staffing company manages 1.3 million workers …

If you drive a foreign car, chances are that venerable Scandinavian firm Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics helped bring it to you. Not so long ago, there weren’t any foreign cars on Japan’s roads. For decades, the Europeans, too, drove mostly European vehicles.

This year, Luxembourg Ambassador to Japan Béatrice Kirsch celebrates 25 years working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She started her career representing Luxembourg at the United Nations in New York …

Since taking office in July 2016, Tokyo’s first female governor, Yuriko Koike, has proved herself to be a politician committed to doing what’s best for the citizens of her city. She has postponed the move of Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market …

The issue of personal data protection has been gaining increasing attention as ever greater chunks of our lives are recorded, and conducted, on the internet. Networks belonging to government pension systems, e-mail servers …

It all seems a long time ago. In 2011, Michael Woodford, the first non-Japanese president and CEO of Olympus, triggered a scandal that eventually revealed a $1.7 billion accounting hole at the company. The revelation toppled Olympus’s top executives …

Finland joined the European Union, together with Austria and Sweden, on Sunday, January 1st, 1995, and the day after, on Monday at 9:00, Jukka Siukosaari reported for his first day at Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Lourdes, in the foothills of the Pyrenees in southwest France, is a small town of just 15,000 people, but it draws six million visitors annually. Since the mid-19th century — when a girl named Bernadette Soubirous saw numerous …

At a time when many people feel that the world is once again entering a period of considerable instability due to unexpected political shifts, and increasingly rapid changes in the technology and business landscapes, financial security is more important than ever.

As a philosophy student at the University of Edinburgh, Keita Koido was deeply impressed by the writings of British philosopher Peter Winch. In his essay “Understanding a primitive society”, Winch observes that if you want to …

Get your masks and protective glasses ready — hay fever season is about to hit again. Spring is not a happy time of year for the over 30 million people in Japan who have been diagnosed as having cedar pollen allergies.

As an ambassador for the happiest country in the world, Denmark, His Excellency Freddy Svane infuses all of his work with good humour and unflagging energy. He was posted to Brussels in the 1980s where he negotiated treaties …

To the dismay of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and other leaders of Asia–Pacific countries, US President Donald Trump has taken his country out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The new American president has …

A full-service independent business law firm, Okuno & Partners has a history that dates back more than 90 years. It aims to uphold the samurai-inspired principles of its founder, even as it moves to internationalise its operations.

Friday 9 December should have been a day of quiet satisfaction for Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe. After months of acrimonious debate, the House of Representatives ratified the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) …

For most of his career, Austrian Ambassador to Japan Dr Hubert Heiss has had Europe on his mind. He was assistant to the chief negotiator when Austria was discussing terms for its entry into the European Union …

Nothing is more important for success in business than finding people with the right skill set and cultural fit to help a company prosper and grow. And today’s increasingly rapid pace of technological change and globalisation …

The challenges Japanese companies face today in recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce are well-documented and are set to become even greater in the coming decades — given the country’s demographics …

Donald J Trump stunned opinion polls, the US establishment and media — as well as his Democratic opponent Hillary Rodham Clinton — in winning a crushing victory to be the 45th president of the United States from 20 January, 2017.

Since starting his career in the early 1980s at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague, Netherlands Ambassador to Japan Aart Jacobi has had postings to the US and Spain, and served as ambassador to the South American …

Despite the shrinking domestic automobile market in Japan — which is widely-perceived as having considerable import barriers for foreign cars, and particularly US vehicles — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has been …

“As my therapist was saying to me…” is not a refrain often heard in the restaurants and izakayas of Tokyo. But all that is about to change if Dr Tyson A Furr and his team at Herald Square Psychology have their way.

Swiss Ambassador to Japan Jean-François Paroz only arrived in Tokyo in September, but his career with Switzerland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spans nearly 30 years. In the four years before coming to Japan, he was Ambassador …