Japan and the EU

Latest news about Japan and the European Union. As advanced, industrialised democracies, the EU and Japan have many common interests and values. The scope of the overall relationship has broadened in recent years and now goes far beyond the earlier trade-related focus of the 1970s and 1980s. The European Union and Japan leaders met in Tokyo on 17 July 2018 to reinforce their strategic partnership and sign two landmark agreements: the Strategic Partnership Agreement and the Economic Partnership Agreement, which creates an open trade zone covering over 600 million people and nearly a third of global GDP.

Wine and food boost for EU-Japan trade deal on 2nd anniversary

The EU hailed the success of the EU-Japan trade deal on its second anniversary Monday, as it agreed a number of improvements to the agreement in the area of protected foods, wine and vehicle trade.

EU signs aviation agreement with Japan

The EU and Japan signed an agreement on civil aviation safety Monday, with the aim of boosting EU cooperation with Japan and reinforcing the competitiveness of the EU's aviation industry.

EU, Japan strenthen ties to face COVID-19 crisis

EU and Japan leaders at a video conference Tuesday signalled close coordination in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, stressing the importance of global solidarity, cooperation and multilateralism.

Green light for talks on EU-Japan Passenger Name Record agreement

The EU Council gave a green light Tuesday for the start of negotiations with Japan on an agreement to enable the transfer of Passenger Name Record data from the European Union to Japan.

EU and Japan select first Joint Master Programmes

The European Commission announced Wednesday the results of a call for proposals for Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Partnerships with Japan launched in October 2018.

EU, Japan strengthen bilateral ties

The recently-signed EU-Japan free trade agreement was hailed as "one of the greatest achievements in EU-Japan relations" by EU and Japanese leaders meeting at their summit in Brussels on Thursday.

EU-Japan free trade zone opens for business

The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force on 1 February, allowing businesses and consumers across Europe and in Japan to take advantage of the largest open trade zone in the world.

EU-Japan data sharing agreement comes into effect

The EU Commission adopted Wednesday an 'adequacy decision' which allows personal data to flow freely between the European Union and Japan on the basis of strong protection guarantees.

EU-Japan trade deal set to enter into force February 2019

February 1, 2019 is the date set for entry into force of the EU’s trade agreement with Japan, as the European Parliament gave its consent Wednesday to the largest bilateral trade deal ever negotiated by the EU.

EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement - key elements

The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, came into force on 1 February, 2019, is expected to boost trade in goods and services as well as create opportunities for investment.

EU, Japan edge towards data protection deal

Following the July conclusion of EU-Japan talks on personal data flows, the Commission launched Thursday a procedure for adoption of its decision on data protection adequacy between the two blocs.

Japan adequacy decision

The European Commission adopted on 23 January 2019 its adequacy decision on Japan, allowing personal data to flow freely between the two economies on the basis of strong protection guarantees.

EU signs largest ever free trade deal with Japan

EU and Japanese leaders signed a landmark free trade agreement Tuesday, removing nearly all tariffs paid by EU companies exporting to Japan and sending a clear message against protectionism.

Brussels urges early signing of Japan trade deal

The European Commission urged a swift conclusion of trade deals with Japan Wednesday, presenting the outcome of negotiations on the biggest bilateral trade partnership ever negotiated by the EU.

EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement

The EU and Japan's Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force on 1 February 2019. Together the EU and Japan make up for a quarter of the world's GDP and bilateral trade reaches some EUR 170 billion a year. The trade agreement with Japan: removes tariffs and other trade barriers and creates a platform to cooperate in order to prevent obstacles to trade; and helps the EU shape global trade rules in line with its standards and shared values, and sends a powerful signal that two of the world's biggest economies reject protectionism.

EU finalises trade partnership deal with Japan

The EU and Japan finalised a deal on the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement Friday, creating an economic zone with 600 million people and approximately 30 per cent of the world GDP.

Copa and Cogeca, CELCAA and FoodDrinkEurope welcome political agreement on EU- Japan trade deal

Copa and Cogeca, CELCAA and FoodDrinkEurope welcome the announcement made at today´s EU-Japan Summit on the 'in principle' agreement of an EU-Japan trade agreement, saying that an ambitious trade deal will have a significant positive impact on both economies.

EU-Japan trade agreement: texts of the agreement in principle

The agreement in principle – shared with the EU’s Member States and the European Parliament, this website sets out what is in the agreement: summary of the agreement, explanatory factsheets, infographics and the published chapters

EU and Japan reach agreement on historic free trade deal

On the eve of the G20 summit, EU and Japanese leaders announced Thursday a political agreement on the EU-Japan free trade deal and closer political cooperation based on shared values.

EU-Japan trade deal smacks of corporate protectionism, Greenpeace

According to media reports, the European Commission and Japan have reached an agreement which closes negotiations on most parts of the EU’s biggest bilateral trade deal to date.

EU, Japan look to speed up talks on trade deal

The European Union made a renewed push for agreement later this year on a bilateral trade deal with Japan, as the country's prime minister Shinzo Abe met EU leaders in Brussels on Tuesday.

G7 leaders push free trade agenda

Leaders of the G7 countries meeting at a summit in Japan reaffirmed their commitment to open and fair global trade and called for swift progress on regional trade agreements, including the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and TTIP.

EU-Japan relations - 22nd EU-Japan Summit

The European Union and Japan are like-minded strategic partners and major economies sharing common values and principles. Their 22nd bilateral summit took place on 7 May in Brussels.

A Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Japan

The EU and Japan on 25 March 2013 officially launched the negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The aim is for a comprehensive agreement in goods, services and investment eliminating tariffs, non-tariff barriers and covering other trade-related issues, such as public procurement, regulatory issues, competition, and sustainable development. The first round of negotiations was held in Brussels from 15 to 19 April 2013.

European auto industry calls for 'real and effective' elimination of non-tariff barriers during trade negotiations with Japan

The European Union and Japan yesterday officially launched negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA).