The 2025 annual meeting of the EU-Japan Business Round Table (“BRT”) took place in Tokyo and online on 12 February 2025, bringing together over 90 senior representatives of leading large companies, SMEs, and business organisations. The meeting’s theme was “Japan & the EU – Global Partnership in a Changing World”. The meeting focussed on 3 key issues – ‘economic security’, ‘industrial competitiveness’ ,and ‘beyond 2025’ (priorities for the future). The meeting also adopted the BRT’s 2025 recommendations to the EU and Japanese Authorities.

The meeting was co-chaired by Nobuhiro Endo (Executive Advisor, NEC Corporation) and Belén Garijo (Chair of the Executive Board and CEO, Merck). Senior representatives of the Japanese and EU Authorities took part in the meeting including Yoji Muto (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry), Takayuki Kobayashi (Member of the House of Representatives), Kerstin Jorna (Director-General, DG GROW, European Commission) and Ambassadors Paquet and Aikawa. Participating authorities strengthened the importance of EU-Japan cooperation in various sectors and the necessity of providing stability and predictability for businesses in a time of geopolitical uncertainty. 

The various speeches and panels of discussion highlighted aspects such as: 

• strengthening supply chains,
• boosting R&D, innovation, public-private-academic partnerships, and investment in human capital,
• collaboration on digital transformation: AI, 6G, cybersecurity, data governance,
• support to green technologies, decarbonization, renewable energies,
• simplification of regulations to boost trade and investments and foster fair market conditions.

The path forward is clear: The EU and Japan must work together to navigate global challenges and drive sustainable growth. 
The BRT’s 2025 recommendations, various presentations, other meeting documents, and photos can be found on the event webpage.

Picture from left to right: Jean-Eric Paquet (Ambassador of the EU to Japan, Delegation of the EU to Japan); Kerstin Jorna (Director-General, DG GROW, European Commission); Belén Garijo (BRT Chair, EU-side and Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck); Nobuhiro Endo (BRT Chair, Japan-side and Executive Advisor of NEC Corporation); Yoji Muto (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, METI); Hideto Kawasaki (Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, MIC) and Shige Watanabe (Deputy Director-General / Deputy Assistant Minister (Ambassador), Economic Affairs Bureau, MOFA)

The BRT on social networks

By Kerstin Jorna, Director General at European Commission
“Did you know? Europe and Japan represent together 30% of global GDP and a market of 600 million consumers. And what unites us is our steadfast commitment maintain and enhance our prosperity based on sustainable and resilient supply chains. By working together on supply chains such as batteries, inverters, hydrogen logistics, critical raw materials for example we can build win-win business cases. Working together is like a turbo charger for both economies. The annual event of the EU-Japan Business Roundtable illustrates this. Business leaders shared their views and expectations with policymakers. Europe means business! in Europe and in Japan”
 

By Belén Garijo, Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck
“After doing business here for more than 150 years, we remain strongly committed to serving the needs of patients and customers in this strategically important growth market. I was thus honored to represent Merck Group and Europe during the EU-Japan Business Round Table meeting in Tokyo this week. Together with my Co-Chair Dr. Nobuhiro Endo from NEC, we led discussions on a series of important growth topics, including economic security and industrial  competitiveness. I am fully energized by my engagements in Japan with our many colleagues, partners, and friends this week. A big thanks to you all!”
 

By the European Business Council in Japan
“Excited to be part of another impactful EU-Japan Business Round Table 2025! This event continues to be a key platform for strengthening EU-Japan cooperation, fostering innovation, and shaping the future of our economic partnership. A fantastic opportunity to connect with European and Japanese authorities, industry leaders, and key stakeholders from the private sector.”
 

By the Japan Business Council in Europe
“It’s a wrap! JBCE was delighted to take part in the 26th EU-Japan Business Round Table last week. Our President, Mikihito Saito, made a presentation during a panel on Economic Security, alongside Jean-Eric Paquet (Ambassador of the EU to Japan, Delegation of the European Union to Japan), Shige Watanabe (Deputy Director-General / Deputy Assistant Minister (Ambassador), Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan) and Lasse Hamilton Heidemann, Senior Director for Outreach, DIGITALEUROPE).”