Newsletter January 28

A few events are in the pipeline:

-“Meet the New BLCCJ Members” online meet-and-greet: Tuesday 9 February, 18:30-19:30 – a mailing will go out soon

-“EPA 2 years later – expectations and reality”: Wednesday 10 March, 17:00-18:30 @ Belgian Embassy – details will be shared soon

-Gala ball 2021 is confirmed for Friday 5 November @ Conrad Tokyo

 

The Belgian regions and the embassy will have a joint virtual exhibition room for the second edition of the Tokyo Tech International Open Innovation Symposium.
Participants will be able to visit the room and get to know more about science and innovation in Belgium.

 

Department stores in Japan have started their annual Valentine Fairs with many Belgian chocolate brands present, incl. member brands Godiva, Pierre Marcolini, Wittamer, Nello Chocolates, Grand Place, The Chocolate Line. Make sure to check them out!
Mitsukoshi Isetan
Takashimaya
Hankyu
Keio
Odakyu

 

Starting on March 6, ANA will resume service on the Tokyo Narita – Brussels route (1 flight per week, on Saturday). You can read more in the press release (as of Jan. 25).

 

The European Business Council (EBC) shared a summary of the Japanese plan regarding vaccination (as of Jan. 27).

 

Some news headlines of the past days:

-PM Suga to decide state of emergency extension several days in advance (Kyodo News, Jan. 27)

 

-Japan lower house OKs 19 tril. yen extra budget to boost virus steps (Kyodo News, Jan. 26)

 

-Toyota group tops global auto sales in 2020 for 1st time in 5 yrs (Kyodo News, Jan. 28)

 

-Ginza Six will get major shake-up amid closure of 40 stores (The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 27)

 

-Godiva is closing or selling all of its stores in the United States (CNN Business, Jan. 25)

 

-Nippon Express becomes latest major firm to mull selling Tokyo HQ building (The Japan News, Jan. 27)

 

-ANA to offer up to 2-year sabbatical leave amid pandemic (Kyodo News, Jan. 26)

 

-Japan’s cinema admissions, box office revenue plummet in 2020 (Kyodo News, Jan. 27)

 

-Global coronavirus infection cases top 100 million (Kyodo News, Jan. 27)

 

-IOC, Tokyo Olympics to unveil rule book for beating pandemic (Japan Today, Jan. 27)

 

-Dry ice, containers and overworked doctors: The hurdles for Japan’s vaccine roll-out (Japan Today, Jan. 28)

 

-At least 15,000 virus patients waiting for hospitals, accommodations (Kyodo News, Jan. 24)

 

-Suicides in Japan mark 1st rise in 11 yrs amid pandemic (Kyodo News, Jan. 22)

 

Please continue to take good care of yourselves!

 

The BLCCJ office