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EUobserver | What does the new EU-Japan defence partnership actually mean?

In November last year, Josep Borrell struck a deal with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, which he described as "historic and very timely", as one of his final steps as EU foreign policy chief. The ground-breaking agreement struck in Tokyo coincides with a new strategic partnership agreement between Japan and the EU, which came into force on 1 January 2025. EUROPEUM Institute Associate Research Fellow Hugo Blewett-Mundy commented for EUobsever.

In the Media

10. January 2025

In recent years, Japan has been preparing to play an active role in world affairs after more than half a century of isolation and pacifism. The late Shinzo Abe - the country's longest-serving prime minister - implemented sweeping institutional reforms that included the creation of Japan's first-ever National Security Council in 2013. These changes allowed Abe's successors to cement Japan's position as a strong and independent actor capable of defending democracy and the rule of law in the world.

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