The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation ZOOM webinar
Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (CEREP)- The Strategy of Resource-Autonomous Circular Economy for Growth Thursday, June 15, 2023 17:00-18:30 Tokyo (10:00-11:30 Brussels)(Summary)
After the opening remarks by Hubert, Managing Director of the European side of theEU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, Tanabe, Managing Director of the Japanside, started the webinar as the moderator.
First, four panelists gave presentations.


Ciobanu-Dordea, Director, Directorate-General for Environment, EuropeanCommission
He mainly explained the EU's efforts in line with the Circular Economy Action Plan
2.0 announced in March 2020. Among these efforts, the circular economy has been
positioned as part of the Green Deal since 2019 in the history of initiatives since the2010s, and the initiatives are characterized by two key aspects: (1) Regulations
designed to change various sectors (regulation proposals have been made forbatteries, packaging, automobiles, etc.), (2) a focus on sustainability, circularity andresource efficiency as the defining characteristics of the manufacturing industry. In
the midst of these efforts, strong expectations were expressed for Japan as a likeminded partner.

Tanaka, Director, Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Division, METI
Achievements of 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) initiatives since the 1999 Circular
Economy Vision and the 2001 Basic Law for a Sound Material-Cycle Society (Finaldisposal volume of waste: 109 million tons in 1990 → 13 million tons in 2019)(surpassing results in Europe) was introduced. In addition, he emphasized theimportance of shifting focus from quantity to quality in the future, Japan should aimfor CO2 reduction through circular economy efforts, enhance economic security
related to crucial mineral resources, and work on regulatory compliance andstandardization initiatives.
Co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Views andopinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of theEuropean Union, the METI or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).
Neither the European Union nor METI, nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Furthermore, cooperation between Japan and the EU was suggested in areas suchas standardization of circularity design and data compatibility for the circulareconomy.
Bauer, Director, Public Affairs at the Policy Hub
The efforts of Policy Hub, an organization that promotes circular economy initiatives
in the textile sector, were introduced. And she pointed out that important issues forthe future will include securing traceability, considering various businesses including
small and medium-sized enterprises, implementing future legislative measures, andaddressing the challenge of free riders, etc.

Amanuma, President and CEO, airCloset
He introduced the company’s unique business (rental fashion subscription), touchingon the importance of ICT in its business model, and expressed its ambition to growas a circular fashion company through overseas expansion and diversification of theirbusiness domains.

After the presentations, the panelists answered the questions from the audiences,addressing topics such as the scope and actual operation of Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR) in the EU; the operation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP)and cooperation with Japan; the relationship between eco-design and recycling in thetextile industry; and the value and future direction of circularity in the chemical industry(see recorded video for details).
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