The EU-Japan strategic partnership continues to grow deeper and more dynamic. It is based on longstanding cooperation, common interests and shared values, supporting human rights and democracy, multilateralism, and a rules-based international order based on the UN Charter, as well as open, free and fair trade and a green transition. Japan is the EU’s closest strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region and a key ally for the implementation of the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific released in September 2021.

The EU-Japan strategic partnership is based on longstanding cooperation, shared values and principles, including democracy, the rule of law, human rights, good governance, multilateralism and open market economies. Japan is one of the EU’s closest like-minded partners. In the global response to the Covid-19 crisis, the EU and Japan are working together to promote international cooperation and solidarity. We are both committed to collaboration to ensure global access to vaccines and increased pandemic preparedness. The EU and Japan also work together to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and are two of the world's leading donors of development assistance.

The EU and Japan have decided to establish and implement a tailor-made, mutually beneficial Security and Defence Partnership, underpinned by a series of dialogue mechanisms to provide steering and oversight.

EU trade relations with Japan. Facts, figures and latest developments.

The EU and Japan's Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force on 1 February 2019.

Japan is a key strategic partner for Europe and bilateral research and innovation relations have developed steadily over the past two decades.

The Japan-EU Digital Partnership advances cooperation on digital issues to foster economic growth and a human-centric digital transformation based on common values.

The EU and Japan intend to work together on all dimensions of connectivity, bilaterally and multilaterally, including digital, transport, energy and people-to-people exchanges.

The EU and Japan’s well-developed energy relations were strengthened through a Green Alliance signed in 2021, a true milestone in our efforts to create a global coalition for net zero emissions by mid-century.

DG Competition’s cooperation partner in Japan is the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC). Cooperation between DG Competition and the JFTC is based on two documents: Cooperation Agreement signed in 2003 and EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force in 2019.

The European Union and Indo-Pacific countries have a stake in each other’s prosperity and security. Our regions share the same interest in upholding the rules-based international order – with the UN Charter at its core – and in supporting responsible cooperation in international relations. Our futures are inter-dependent.

Joint venture established in 1987 by the European Commission (DG GROW) and the Japanese Government (METI) for promoting all forms of industrial, trade and investment cooperation between the EU and Japan.

The Country Knowledge Community is led by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy. Access is restricted.

European Union Delegations are an integral part of the EU External Action Service (EEAS) and have constituted the official diplomatic representation of the EU to countries outside the EU since the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

Link to website of the permanent representation of Japan to the European Union.