EU is preparing to adopt its landmark Circular Economy Act later this year, making circularity a core pillar of industrial and trade policy with the goal of doubling the bloc's circular material use rate to 24% by 2030. For non-EU companies, the message is clear: access to the European market will increasingly depend on demonstrable circular performance, and those who prepare early can position themselves as preferred partners.
As Europe advances these ambitious regulatory frameworks, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, home to one of Europe's most dynamic innovation ecosystems, is emerging as a strategic gateway for companies looking to build circular value chains and stay ahead of the curve.
This seminar brings together leading voices from industry and policy - including Circular Valley Foundation (NRW), SUNTORY Holdings / CLOMA, Henkel Japan and Covestro Japan - to explore how Japanese companies can leverage NRW's ecosystem to turn regulatory change into competitive advantage. A panel discussion followed by networking will offer ample opportunity for exchange.
We would be delighted to welcome you.
|
|
Date: June 25th, 2026 (Thu.)
Time: 16:00 - 19:00, Reception Desk will be open at 15:40
Venue: Seminar Room A+B, Kioi Conference, Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho 4F (In-person only)
Language: Japanese & English Simultaneous Interpretation
Please register latest by 22nd June (Mon.) 24:00 (JST)
Hosted by: NRW.Global Business Japan
Partner: Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA)
Supported by: Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
|
|
Program
Opening Greeting & Presentation: North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) - Regulation as Opportunity: Japan's Circular Springboard in Europe
Dr. Carolina Kawakubo, NRW.Global Business Japan, Representative Director and President, NRW Japan K.K.
Keynote: Unlocking Business Opportunities in Europe's Circular Economy through the NRW Ecosystem
Dr. Carsten Gerhardt, CEO, Circular Valley Foundation
Coffee Break
Panel Discussion and Q&A:
Moderator: Dr. Carolina Kawakubo
- Takashi Hirano, Senior General Manager, Sustainability Management Division, SUNTORY HOLDINGS LIMITED / Acting Chair of the International Cooperation Subcommittee in Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA)
- Koichi Yanagita, Secretary General, Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA)
- Seiji Asaoka, President, Henkel Japan Ltd.
- Munetaka Uchimura, Covestro Country President for Japan
Networking (18:00-19:00)
|
|
Notes: This Event is designed for participants affiliated with organizations, such as corporations. Please register using your corporate email address matching your domain. We kindly ask for your understanding that we may have to limit participation if we are unable to verify your organizational affiliation.
This invitation is for your personal use only which is why your name and your mail address are already in the registration form. If you would like to invite others, please let us know per email (event@nrwglobalbusiness.co.jp). We will then send out a separate, personalised invitation.
In case you transfer your invitation to a third person and he/she registers to the event by using it, your own data will be deleted by the event system.