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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
Japan to relax COVID border controls, give priority entry to students
Japan will ease its COVID-19 border controls further from March 14, raising the daily cap on entrants from overseas to 7,000 from the current 5,000, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday.
With some 150,000 overseas students said to be waiting to enter Japan following roughly two years of coronavirus travel restrictions, Kishida unveiled a new scheme to give priority to such students when business travel demand is not high.
The phased easing of the strict rules, which became the target of criticism at home and abroad, comes in response to calls for Japan to allow more entries, especially by foreign students ahead of the April start of the country’s school year.
Read the full article from Kyodo HERE.
Japan to extend antivirus restrictions in Tokyo and 14 prefectures
The government is set to extend the COVID-19 quasi-state of emergency in Tokyo and 14 prefectures as Japan has been facing a slower-than-expected fall in infection numbers due to the highly contagious Omicron variant, officials said Wednesday.
The measures, under which restaurants and bars are required to close early and stop or limit the serving of alcohol, will likely remain in place until March 21, the officials said. The government will formally decide on the extension after consulting with a panel of health experts on Friday.
The 14 prefectures include Osaka, Aichi, Hokkaido as well as the three areas neighboring Tokyo — Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama.
Read the full article from Kyodo 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。
