At the 30th Japan-EU Summit held in Tokyo, leaders from both sides agreed to deepen their cooperation in defense, economic security, and trade. A major outcome of the meeting was the establishment of the “Japan-EU Competitiveness Partnership” and the launch of a defense industry dialogue between the two powers.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In the joint press conference that followed, Ishiba emphasized the changing global security environment and the increasing importance of strategic alignment between Japan and Europe. “Indo-Pacific and European security are inseparable,” he stated, underlining the mutual commitment to shared values and coordinated global action.
Von der Leyen praised Japan as a trusted partner and highlighted areas such as innovation, green transition, and economic resilience as key pillars for collaboration. She also underlined that Japan’s role as the first non-EU country to engage in a defense partnership with the bloc was both symbolically and strategically significant.
According to the joint statement released after the summit, the two parties committed to strengthening supply chains, enhancing high-level economic dialogue, and promoting free and fair trade. Plans were also outlined for future negotiations on sharing classified security information, marking a new chapter in defense cooperation.
The statement also touched on international humanitarian issues, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and stressing the urgent need for unhindered humanitarian aid delivery. Support was reiterated for political stability efforts in Syria and Lebanon.
Following the summit, EU leaders are set to visit Beijing later this week for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, continuing their Asia-Pacific diplomatic tour.
