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COVID-19 Resource Centre
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve, the BCCJ is taking action to ensure the security and well-being of our community. We are in daily contact with the UK Government as well as local, regional and global partners, and will look to provide trusted resources and a new platform for knowledge sharing with the goal of keeping members up to date with the latest developments and business practices.
In light of recent directives from the Japanese Government, the BCCJ will be postponing all face-to-face events until we receive further notification, after which we will reassess the situation. In the meantime, we are pleased to have launched a new webinar series, ‘COVID-19: Default to Action‘. We encourage you to get involved and contribute your expertise, as a participant, or even a future panellist. If you have any suggestions, please do send us a message via the contact form at the bottom of this page and we will reply at our earliest possible convenience.
Joint Statement on the Easing of Re-Entry Restrictions on Foreign Residents in Japan
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ), the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (CCCJ) and the European Business Council (EBC) express their deep appreciation to the Government of Japan for its efforts in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Japan, and, in particular, for the uniform treatment of re-entry procedures for both Japanese national and foreign residents of Japan. We hope this equal application of the travel measures and public health protocols will continue to be enforced for the benefit of all. For full statement read HERE.
日本語で読みたい方はこちらでお読みください。
Government subsidies
Government subsidies have finally stabilized since the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, and now may be an opportune time to consider applying as you rethink your current and future business and workstyle. In this video, BCCJ supporter Ms. Tsuboi simplifies the basics of the three common types of subsidies for businesses affected by Covid-19 pandemic, breaking down subsidy rate and eligibility requirements, step-by-step.
Supporting PDF referred to in the video HERE
If you would like to learn more from Ms. Tsuboi, please answer the questions relevant to the subsidy you are applying for on this form, and send to [email protected]
COVID-19 Business Impact Survey
Members of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ) have implemented measures to ensure business continuity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, even as they forecast a fall in revenue in 2020, according to a survey carried out by the BCCJ in April. Furthermore, Platinum, Corporate and Entrepreneur members remain hopeful about their respective businesses in two years’ time, reflecting resilience amongst the community. Some 75 member companies responded to the poll, 92% of which are primarily located in Tokyo. Some 53% are based in Japan; the others hold their main enterprise abroad.
Watch the BCCJ’s Default to Action Webinar Series
Join us as we hear from guests of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan on how to navigate COVID-19. Business insights, best practices, government advice, well-being tips and more.
Listen to and download the BCCJ’s Default to Action Podcast
Join us as we hear from guests of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan on how to navigate COVID-19. Business insights, best practices, government advice, well-being tips and more.
Responsible Business and COVID-19
The COVID-19 crisis has impacted the economy, people and the planet. Adopting a responsible business conduct approach in government and business responses to the crisis will generate short and long-term benefits such as increased resilience, a fairer and more inclusive distribution of benefits from recovery measures, and a stronger contribution to sustainable development. This page highlights some of the responsible business measures and initiatives BCCJ members are adopting in the fight against COVID-19
Amidst social distancing during the bubonic plague of 1666, some of Sir Isaac Newton’s most notable triumphs were realised, not least his theory of gravity. It may be ambitious to say that one day we will all be able to emerge from the pandemic with such groundbreaking revelations to share with the world, but in being out of step with our ordinary lives, we are all constantly turning over new discoveries and sides of ourselves on a more personal level. Whether that’s buying a kitten, bringing your work-station into the digital age, starting a vegetable patch, mastering chess or a musical instrument, or even taking some time to admire your closer surroundings, we can see a deeper level of appreciation of the lives we lead and decisions we make.
Find the full article and wonderful picture project HERE!
JETRO Invest Japan Helpline
JETRO has launched a helpline (Invest Japan Helpline) that accepts
inquiries in multiple languages in order to support foreign companies
and foreign-affiliated companies during this difficult situation.
If a foreign company or a foreign-affiliated company from your country/region
is having problems such as collecting information about government
economic measures, questions on labor affairs or status of residence,
please share the JETRO website: Here
Tokyo declares the fourth COVID state of emergency
On July 12, the government declared a state of emergency in Tokyo for the fourth time. Restaurants and bars in Tokyo and Okinawa that are under the declaration have been asked to shorten their hours of operation and uniformly stop serving alcoholic beverages.
The priority measures to prevent the spread of the disease have been extended until August 22 in Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa and Osaka prefectures. In five prefectures (Hokkaido, Aichi, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka), the measures were cancelled on August 11.
The deadline is August 22, which includes the period of the Tokyo Olympics and Obon holidays. Depending on the effectiveness of the vaccine and the situation of hospital beds, the state of emergency may be lifted ahead of schedule, but the impact on restaurants and bars will be immeasurable, as they are still required to shorten business hours and limit the supply of alcoholic beverages.
Read the full article in Japanese HERE
Suga to declare COVID state of emergency in Tokyo, western Japan
“TOKYO (Kyodo) — Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is set Friday to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo and the three western Japan prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo in the hopes of curbing a surge in COVID-19 during the upcoming Golden Week holidays.
Tougher restrictions such as asking establishments serving alcohol to temporarily close and shutting down major commercial facilities are expected to be in place from Sunday through May 11.
The state of emergency, covering roughly a quarter of Japan’s population of 126 million and about a third of its economy, comes with just three months to go until the Tokyo Olympics begins.”
Read the full Nikkei Asia article HERE.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
- Small and medium-sized enterprises employees loans
- Subsidies for business continuity measures (telecommuting)
- Policy-based directed credits against COVID-19
- Advice provided by experts on business challenges caused by COVID-19
- 緊急販路開拓助成事業（新型コロナウイルス感染症緊急対策）
- List of contacts
- 東京都新型コロナウィルス感染症支援情報ナビ
Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Updates on COVID-19 Website
この他、日本語による感染症の情報源はこちらからご覧ください。
Novel Coronavirus Latest Information – Monitoring Report (April 22nd)
