The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Webinar exclusively for Supporting Members

Challenges and prospects of von der Leyen’s second term in the European Commission

Friday, 17 January 16:30-17:15 Tokyo (8:30-9:15 Brussels)
(Japanese language only / Free event)

Following the European Parliament election in June and the subsequent appointment of key positions, European Commission President von der Leyen’s second term was launched on 1 December.  As a result of the election, the center-right bloc maintained its majority, while there was a notable rise in right-wing and far-right parties. Additionally, in major countries, the rise of populist forces became particularly evident.

On 27 November, President von der Leyen outlined the priority of the new administration as the "Compass for Competitiveness," focusing on closing the innovation gap with the United States and China, achieving decarbonization, and strengthening security while reducing dependence on the U.S. She explained that this would form the "framework of tasks for the remainder of the term." The new administration will address various issues, with the restoration of Europe's competitiveness as the primary challenge, while also tackling decarbonization, foreign policy, and other important matters.

In this webinar, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Kozo Saiki, Director-General of Japan Machinery Center for Trade and Investment Brussels Office and JETRO Brussels, as a speaker, who will discuss the challenges and prospects of the von der Leyen’s second term in the European Commission.

Kozo Saiki’s biography:

Born in Hyogo Prefecture. Graduated from Faculty of Law, the University of Tokyo, and joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in 1998.

• 2013: Deputy Counsellor to the Cabinet Secretariat. 
• 2017: Secretary to the Prime Minister                                                                                             
• September 2020: Senior Advisor, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and Global Industry Division
• July 2021: Director, Biochemical Industry Division, Commerce and Services Group, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, METI
• July 2022: Director, Americas Division, Trade Policy Bureau, METI
• July 2023: Current position 

Agenda

16:30 -17:00 (8:30 -9:00)　Presentation
-    Kozo Saiki, Director-General, Japan Machinery Center for Trade and Investment Brussels Office / JETRO Brussels

17:00-17:15 (9:00-9:15)　Q&A and Discussions
-    Moderator: Yasuo Tanabe, Managing Director Japan Side, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

• Registration: This webinar will be held in a ZOOM. Please register from this link by entering the supporting member password.
• You can submit your questions in the "Questions & Comments" section on the registration page.
• Please note that, due to time constraints, we may not be able to answer all the questions. Thank you for your understanding.