Sat Nov 02 07:05:13 UTC 2024: ## Japan and EU Forge Historic Security Pact Amidst Growing Regional Tensions
**Tokyo, Japan -** In a move hailed as “historic and very timely,” the European Union and Japan announced a new security and defence partnership on Friday. The agreement, which includes cooperation on joint military drills, information sharing in the defence industry, and space security, marks the first of its kind between the EU and an Asia-Pacific country.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who met with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya in Tokyo, described the agreement as a critical step in a “very dangerous world.” He highlighted the need for cooperation to address emerging threats, specifically referencing the heightened tensions in both Europe and Asia. While Borrell did not explicitly mention China, Japan has previously identified its neighbour as its greatest security concern.
The agreement includes provisions for “concrete naval cooperation” such as joint exercises and port calls, potentially involving “mutually designated third countries.” It also outlines discussions on the development of respective defence initiatives, including sharing information related to the defence industry. This could potentially lead to joint defence projects between Japanese and European firms, according to analysts.
Japan, which has traditionally relied on the U.S. for military hardware, is currently developing a new fighter jet in partnership with EU members Italy and Britain. The EU-Japan pact could accelerate collaboration on these projects.
The announcement comes amid increasing defence spending by Japan, which aims to reach the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027, driven in part by concerns about China’s growing military presence in the region.
This agreement, alongside a separate previously agreed upon Strategic Partnership Agreement, underscores the growing importance of the EU-Japan relationship in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
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