EUVP Visit Story - Maki Kawaminami

Are you considering applying for an EUVP visit? Ever wondered how the EUVP programmes are organised and what their outcomes are? Follow the “EUVP visit stories”, featuring unique reports and testimonials from those who have joined us at the heart of the EU!

Today, we look back at Ms Maki Kawaminami’s in person visit to the European institutions, which took place in January 2020. Ms Kawaminami decided to apply for the EUVP following the recommendation of the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, with which she was closely collaborating, whilst she had been working for Osaka Prefectural Government, a local government in Japan at the time of her visit.

A tailor-made EUVP programme was built according to her interests, mainly focused on business expansion, innovation, and the perception of the Japanese market by the EU. 
 

When asked about the highlights of her visit, she defined each meeting as “memorable”. Most importantly, she could get a closer look at some relevant differences between the EU and Japan, for instance when it comes to budget administration. Ms Kawaminami was particularly curious about the administration of the European budget in the framework of 7 years. Moreover, she had the chance to gain a better understanding of the so-called “Brussels effect”. According to her opinion, “how [the EU] makes rules and makes them adopted as a global rule is amazing. I think the values of the EU have been broadly accepted in democratic nations”. Her meetings further represented an opportunity to tackle concrete issues such as the problem of ageing societies, underlining how fundamental the EU and Japan partnership is to solve common problems.

Among many interlocutors, she was able to exchange with prominent Members of the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee as well as with the EU officials working in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) and Directorate-General for Trade (DG TRADE).

Ms Kawaminami also shared some tips for future EUVP participants: “I recommend that you definitely use this great opportunity if you are able to. You can expect great learning experiences by meeting high-level stakeholders. Being at the very centre of politics of the EU is also an amazing and unforgettable experience. Whatever you are interested in; you will be learning advanced and successful initiatives”.

Soon after the end of her Programme, Ms Kawaminami embarked on a new professional experience at the British Consulate General in Japan. For the EUVP it was a real pleasure to host Ms Kawaminami, and we wish her the best of luck in the continuation of a brilliant and productive career. We further recognize her valuable contribution to foster EU and Japan cooperation in several sectors, and to create a bridge between two areas of the world that appear – only geographically – distant.

If you would like to follow the path of Ms Maki Kawaminami and become an EUVP participant, please contact the EU Delegation in your country to express interest.