At the 30th EU-Japan Summit, leaders from both blocs unveiled a bold new framework to navigate rising global instability. With President von der Leyen, President Costa, and Prime Minister Ishiba at the helm, the summit marked a strategic pivot toward deeper economic, technological, and security cooperation.
📈 Competitiveness in a Shifting Global Order
The newly launched EU-Japan Competitiveness Alliance rests on three pillars:
- Bilateral Trade Expansion: Building on the Economic Partnership Agreement, both sides aim to simplify procurement rules and unlock mutual investment opportunities.
- Economic Security: Upgraded dialogues will focus on supply chain resilience, raw materials, and cyber infrastructure — echoing priorities from the G7 Hiroshima Summit.
- Innovation & Green Transition: Joint efforts include Horizon Europe negotiations, circular economy initiatives, and a new working group on submarine cable connectivity in the Arctic.
Together, the EU and Japan represent 20% of global GDP and a market of 600 million people, positioning them to shape global trade and tech standards rooted in fairness and openness.
🛡️ Security & Defence: A New Chapter
Japan became the first non-European country to formalize a Security and Defence Partnership with the EU. Plans are underway for the first EU-Japan Defence Industrial Dialogue in 2026, aimed at reducing dependencies and building trusted ecosystems.
🌍 Global Trade Reform & CPTPP Engagement
The EU signaled stronger cooperation with CPTPP countries, not just to defend open trade, but to reshape WTO rules for the challenges ahead — from economic coercion to digital sovereignty.