Strengthening economic ties between Japan and the EU
The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation hosted, on 17 February 2009 in Brussels, a seminar on Enhancing EU-Japan Economic Cooperation. Co-organised by the European Commission and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the event brought together decision-makers and industry representatives to consider the scope of future economic cooperation between the EU and Japan.
The European Commission responds to the automotive sector crisis
On 25 February 2009 the European Commission issued a comprehensive new Communication, “Responding to the crisis in the European automotive industry”, detailing its proactive stance to support, through carefully targeted and temporary measures, Europe’s vehicle manufacturers in their efforts to withstand the current economic crisis. The Commission nevertheless asserted that “Primary responsibility for dealing with the crisis lies with industry”, which must “address the structural problems of production efficiency and capacity utilisation” to improve its long-term competitiveness and sustainability.
Japanese government support for the automotive sector
In response to the economic downturn, the Japanese government has been implementing a wide range of emergency economic measures including tax incentives for the purchase of new vehicles meeting stipulated environmental performance criteria, which are aimed at accelerating the shift to a low-carbon society as well as spurring economic recovery. Additional measures promoting eco-friendly vehicle purchases are expected to come into effect in the near future.
Feature Article: From 10•15 to JC08: Japan’s new economy formula
Peter Nunn takes a look at Japan’s new fuel-economy test cycle which will become the standard in 2015 and is already being quoted for new cars.
