WRITTEN QUESTION E-0115/02

by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 January 2002)

Subject: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, Tokyo

Malcolm Trevor, who was the manager of the above Centre for many years, recently published the book Japan: Restless Competitor (Richmond, Surrey 2001). It includes striking descriptions showing how the METI's strong influence means that European managers invited there are only presented with Japanese government propaganda, and also how critical speeches highlighting real obstacles to imports and investment are prevented and obstacles placed in the way of contacts with European importers and managers who have experience in the country. The highly positive foreword to the book was written by James Moorhouse, the European Parliament's longstanding rapporteur on Japan.

Is the Commission taking any steps to ensure that managers whose trips to Japan have been financed by the EU are offered more objective information programmes?

In the light of the experiences of the past decade, does it still believe that the structure of the Centre, half of whose funds are provided by the EU, and in which the METI and its appointed co-director exercise a right of veto in all questions, is appropriate?

What action does it plan to take in response to this dilemma, which has been both unsatisfactory and very expensive for the European taxpayer?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2002)

The Commission is aware of the book Japan Restless Competitor written by Mr Trevor. The comments and opinions contained in Mr Trevor's book are entirely his own. Although Mr Trevor was General Manager of the Union/Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation in Tokyo from 1992 to 1996, he no longer works for the Commission.

The Union/Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation has been jointly managed and financed by the Commission with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Investment (METI) since 1986. The Centre's programmes are designed to introduce managers to Japanese business methods and culture. The Human Resources Training Programme (HRTP) and Topical Missions assist Community business managers to acquire a greater understanding of how Japanese business operates. The Centre also runs Seminars for Community business in Japan and, since 1997, manages the Vulcanus programme, under which science and engineering students undergo an intensive Japanese language course for four months followed by eight months work experience with a Japanese company in Japan. As a result, several hundred Europeans have received assistance in understanding how business is done in Japan. Participants have, in general, praised the Centre's programmes.

The Centre was established at a time of serious trade difficulties with Japan. Although the Japanese market remains difficult for Community companies to penetrate, the Centre's programmes, together with the Executive Training Programme (ETP) and the Gateway to Japan (GTJ) Programme (managed by the Commission alone) have together helped Community companies to establish a position on the Japanese market.

The finance and management of the Centre is shared with Japan and the Commission is presently reviewing with its Japanese partners the role of the Centre in the future.