Europe-Japan: Living up to its potential
Europe-Japan, EU-Japan, and NATO-Japan ties get an upgrade. Economic and geopolitical instability has grown over recent decades, with US leadership weakened since the 2008 financial crash and wars in the Middle East. Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's threats toward Taiwan have highlighted the need for stronger partnerships. Europe and Japan have recognized each other as key partners with shared interests, values, and goals.
The connections between NATO and Japan have strengthened significantly. Japan joined NATO’s annual summit in 2022, 2023, and is invited again this year. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg explained the importance of this at the 2023 summit: “no other partner is closer to NATO than Japan”.
The EU and Japan have increased cooperation in digital trade and economic security. To mitigate the risks of militarized conflict, both sides recognize the shared interest in preserving global supply chains, especially for semiconductors, and enhancing cybersecurity.
The “Indo-Pacific” concept has been integrated into strategic discussions at EU and NATO level, aligning Japan’s vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” with NATO’s security perspective. This connects regional security frameworks such as AUKUS (Australia, UK, US), and the Quad (India, Australia, Japan and US) with NATO, promoting security cooperation across Eurasia and to the Pacific.
Historically, Japan-Europe security cooperation has been limited by geography and distinctive national priorities. Today, both sides realize the need for closer cooperation. After years of talk, finally, there is real movement in Europe-Japan, EU-Japan, and NATO-Japan relations. Seen against the alternatives – Putin’s Russia, Xi’s China, or Trump’s US – this represents a positive, democratic, and open vision for the future.
Paul O’Shea is Senior Lecturer at the Centre for East and Southeast Asian Studies, Lund University, Sweden. He is an expert in Japan’s foreign and security policy and East Asian international relations.