In a bid to promote energy stability amid ongoing global challenges and to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, the Japanese Cabinet approved the “Strategy for Promoting the Transition to a Decarbonized Growth-Oriented Economic Structure” (GX Promotion Strategy) on July 28. This approval follows the enactment of several key policies earlier this year, including the “GX Promotion Law” and […]
Regulatory
JETRO Selects Projects for “Subsidy to Stimulate Direct Investment in Japan”
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has announced the selection of projects set to receive the “Subsidy for Projects to Stimulate Direct Investment in Japan.” The announcement comes after a thorough review of applications submitted by various business entities. The selected projects will receive financial support as part of JETRO’s initiative to stimulate foreign direct investment into the Japanese economy. […]
Japan Expands Investment Opportunities for Limited Partnership Funds
In a recent press release, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has shed light on investment opportunities in security tokens and blockchain-based assets for Limited Partnership Funds (LPS). The new clarifications will enable LPS to expand their investment options and potentially boost the growth of digital assets in Japan. Security Tokens under the Financial Instruments and Exchange […]
JETRO Announces Open Call for 2023 Export Business Subsidies for SMEs
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) announced on April 19 a wide-ranging call for applications for indirect subsidy providers to participate in the “Export Business Model Research and Demonstration Project Subsidies for Medium-sized and Small Enterprises.” This initiative aims to construct new business models by private-sector operators to support the export of Japanese medium-sized and small enterprises. The project’s primary […]
METI Launches Study Group and Contest to Address High Prices and Labor Shortages in Distribution Industry
Japan’s distribution industry, which accounts for 14% of the country’s GDP and employs 16% of its working population, is facing pressure from rising costs, low consumer prices, and demands for higher wages. These pressures are putting strain on the industry’s profit structure, while a labor shortage further exacerbates the situation. To address these issues, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and […]
METI Publishes March Update on New and Revised Japanese Industry Standards
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has published revised and newly established JIS standards in response to societal and technological changes. The Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) are a collection of national standards stipulating the criteria for mineral or industrial products, data, and services in Japan, including their quality, performance and test methods. In March 2023, METI established 10 […]
METI and MOTIE Hold Japan-Korea Export Control Policy Dialogue
The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) held the Japan-Korea Export Control Policy Dialogue from March 14-16. Through the policy dialogue, METI has reviewed the effectiveness of Korea’s export control including the organization of the export control authority and its operations, and implementation of a regulatory framework for […]
Cabinet Approves the FY 2018 Annual Report on Energy (Japan’s Energy White Paper 2019)
The Annual Report on Energy (also known as the “Energy White Paper”) overviews the measures on energy that the Government of Japan conducted in the previous fiscal year, which is submitted to the Diet pursuant to Article 11 of the Basic Act on Energy Policy (Act No. 71 of 2002). On June 7, 2018, the Cabinet approved the Energy White […]
METI Publishes Report Titled “GLocal Growth Strategy” Compiled by the GLocal Growth Strategy Study Group
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) established a GLocal Growth Strategy Study Group, aiming to: break through stereotypical ideas that have pervaded Japan, such as “no growth is expected in a society facing a population constraint;” and encourage regional cities and rural areas with a small population at the front line of the declining population issue to establish […]
Addition of Businesses Required to Submit Prior Notification Concerning Inward Direct Investment
On May 27, 2019, the government of Japan publicized the public notices of the revision of the types of businesses subject to the provisions over inward direct investment, etc. in the official gazette. 1. Outline of the revision Foreign investors that intend to undertake inward direct investment, etc. in specified types of businesses in Japan are required to submit a […]
TCFD Consortium to be inaugurated
On May 27 (Mon.), 2019, five founders, inducing Mr. Kunio Ito, Professor, Graduate School of Business Administration, Hitotsubashi University, will inaugurate a new body called the “TCFD Consortium” (hereinafter referred to as the “consortium”) as an opportunity for holding discussions on effective corporate information disclosure and efforts for leading disclosed information to appropriate decision making on investment by financial institutes […]
MEXT Minister submits inquiry to Central Council for Education on Elementary and Secondary School Education in a New Era
MEXT Minister Masahiko Shibayama visited the Central Council for Education on April 17th to submit an inquiry on the following 4 items for elementary and secondary school education in a new era. 1 Modality of compulsory education corresponding to a new era; 2 Modality of higher education corresponding to a new era; 3 Modality of education corresponding to the increasing […]
Japan-China International Development Cooperation Policy Consultation
On 23 May 2019, the Japan-China International Development Cooperation Policy Consultation was held in Beijing, China. The outcome of the consultation is as follows: This consultation was attended by: from the Japanese side; Mr. Kazuya Nashida, Assistant Minister and Director General, International Cooperation Bureau, and other relevant officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) […]
MOFA: Opinion Poll on Japan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan commissioned research agencies to conduct an opinion poll on the image of Japan in the United States, Canada, five European countries, Russia and four Central Asian countries from January to February in 2019. The results of the poll are as follows. 1. United States The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan contracted with […]
METI Nudge Unit Inaugurated
Aiming to improve the effects brought about by implementing its policies, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) inaugurated a METI Nudge Unit, a new internal project team for making use of a new policy approach based on behavioral economics, also known as “nudge.” In cooperation with experts, METI will design and promote specific nudge projects in certain fields, […]
