EU-JAPANSTRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
AGREEMENT (SPA)
Enhanced Cooperation to Resolve Global Challenges

TODAY’S PARTNERSHIP, STRONGER THAN EVER

ACTING TOGETHERThe EU-Japan partnership has undergone a major uplift over the past five years. The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

Japan is a strategic partner for the EU, sharing values that include democracy, the rule of law, openmarkets and respect for human rights. We cooperate on a wide range of issues ranging from peace-building
and anti-piracy missions to science and innovation.

and the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), as well as the EU-Japan Partnership on Sustainable Connectivity and Quality
Infrastructure, form a comprehensive institutional framework for enhanced bilateral cooperation across a variety of domains.
The recently published EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific adds to the overall enabling structural environmentof the bilateral relationship.

With so much to gain, I sincerely believe that the EU and Japan can both benefit from a closer partnership

The EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA)

on all fronts, where we jointly tackle such global challenges as climate change, energy security, terrorism

is a legally binding pact covering political dialogue, policy cooperation as well as cooperation on regionaland development. It is also necessary to acknowledge the importance of personal exchanges between

and global challenges, including environment and climate change, development policy and disaster relief,

citizens in the EU and Japan, which are crucially contributing to enhancing our mutual understanding andand security policy.

consolidating a strong and durable bilateral relationship.

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

Based on a longstanding cooperation, shared values and principles such as democracy, the rule of law,is the largest free trade agreement ever, covering a third of the world’s GDP. This ambitious, comprehensive pact ishuman rights, good governance, multilateralism and open market economies, the EU-Japan Strategic

not only about stimulating growth and trade liberalisation: its added value lies in its contribution to setting norms atPartnership Agreement (SPA) is a framework to promote political and sectoral cooperation and joint

a high level in areas like environmental protection, social, and labour standards.

actions in more than 40 areas of common interest.

The Partnership on Sustainable Connectivity and Quality Infrastructure

To support the implementation of the SPA, the European Union launched the Support Facility for thewas signed during the first Europe-Asia Connectivity Forum in September 2019, and signals the EU and Japan’s

Implementation of the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement in 2019, which aims to quantitatively andintentions to work together on all dimensions of connectivity, bilaterally and multilaterally, promoting the highest

qualitatively upgrade bilateral relations by enhancing EU-Japan relations and enriching EU-Japan dialogues

standards of economic, fiscal, financial, social and environmental sustainability.

through the organisation of conferences, workshops, technical seminars and visits, studies and otherThe Green Allianceinitiatives. These activities bring together stakeholders from Japan, the EU and the Member States, providing
a framework for practical cooperation, joint projects and mutual understanding.

was launched in May 2021. The cooperation under the Green Alliance ranges from climate, environment, circular
economy and clean energy to other sectors such as transport, trade, research and innovation, and financial
regulation.

The Digital Partnershipwas signed in 2022. It is EU´s first-ever Digital Partnership, through which EU and Japan aim to deepen theircooperation in areas of high economic potential, such as on Generative Artificial Intelligence, digital transformation

Jean-Eric Paquet,of SMEs, interoperability of trust services underpinning digital trade and data free flow, semiconductors andAmbassador of the European Union (EU) to Japansustainable submarine connectivity.

DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO JAPANKEY REGULAR DIALOGUES
Alongside these agreements, the EU and Japan continue to hold regular dialogue meetings on a variety of policy areas.
The key regular dialogues are:

EU AND JAPAN RELATIONS

1974
1991

A LONG HISTORY OF JOINT COLLABORATIONThe European Union has had a diplomatic office in Japan since
1974, when what was then the European Communities opened
the first Delegation in Tokyo, and this has evolved to become theDelegation of the European Union with the Lisbon Treaty, which

The Hague
Joint Declaration• High Level Dialogue on the Environment• Macroeconomic Dialogue• Cyber Dialogue• HighLevelBilateralDialogueonClimateChange• EU-Japan Joint Financial• Space Dialogue• Energy Dialogue• Industrial Policy Dialogue• Food Safety Dialogue• Transport Policy Dialogues• EU-Japan Customs Cooperation• High Level Dialogue on Fisheries and• Competition Policy Dialogue

Maritime Affairs

entered into force in December 2009.

2009

The scope of the overall relationship has broadened in recent

Lisbon Treaty

years and now goes far beyond the earlier trade-related focus ofthe 1970s and 1980s. Building on shared fundamental values, top
leaders have met at the annual EU-Japan Summit since 1991 (TheHague Joint Declaration).

The firstDelegation inTokyo• ICT Policy Dialogue

Regulatory Forum• GenderAdditionally, the EU and Japan have a regular dialogue on human rights and cooperate in various forums, such as theUN Human Rights Council and in the UN 3rd Committee. This very practical cooperation across a variety of policy fields

2019

contributes to establishing international norms.

EU-Japan SPA and
EU-Japan EPA
entered into force2

Support Facility for the Implementation of the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement

3

EU-JAPAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
Main Features
The EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) is the first bilateral framework agreement between the EU and Japan. It aims

Main Goals

EPA and SPA Timeline

THE PURPOSE OF THE SPA, AS STATED IN ART.1 IS TO:

2011

1. Strengthen the overall partnership between the Parties by furthering political•and sectoral cooperation and joint actions on issues of common interest
2. Provide a long-lasting legal foundation for enhancing bilateral cooperation

Preparations launched

THE SPA IS

for both the Economic

UNIQUE

It is a legally

It provides a legal foundation

It promotes global

Partnership Agreement

BECAUSE:binding agreement

for bilateral cooperation

standards and values(EPA) and a bindingas well as cooperation in international and regional organisations and fora

Strategic Partnership3. Contribute jointly to international peace and stability through the promotion

Agreement (SPA).

of peaceful settlement of disputes in conformity with the principles ofjustice and international law

to ensure closer political and economic cooperation on a whole host of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues.

It strengthens the overall partnership, by promoting political and sectoral cooperationand joint actions in more than 40 areas of common interest.

March 2013

4. Contribute jointly to the promotion of shared values and principles, in particular
democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms•

Therefore, the agreement will be the basis for the EU and Japan to jointly promote stability,

Negotiations launchedpeace and prosperity globally, as well as an open international system. It has a far-for both agreements.

reaching impact on relations between the EU, its Member States and Japan for years
to come.

July 2017•Agreement reached onthe EPA

SHARING AND

April 2018

PROMOTING VALUES•

Negotiations conclude on
the SPA after 13 rounds

COLLABORATING IN
INTERNATIONAL FORA

New Technologies and Innovation
The shaping of the digital future is one of the most important
issues in the EU and Japan. The SPA consequently contains aachieving peace, stability and prosperity of the world

number of relevant articles about the shared interest in enhancing

SPA and EPA signed

as well as human security. They are resolved to work

cooperation on science, technology and innovation, including

at the Tokyo summit

closely to address major global challenges related toouter space. Regarding the area of information and communication

crisis situations, disarmament, terrorism, organised

technologies,theSPAcontainsclearreferencesto key issues, suchcrime, personal data and cyber issues, maritime affairs

as electronic communications, including internet governanceand judicial cooperation.

and online safety.

Environment and Energy
The SPA puts the EU and Japan in the forefront ofSocial Affairs and People-to-People Exchanges
Japan and the EU will work together to address common

environmental protection, which includes energy and climate

challenges in areas such as urbanisation, employment,change, emphasising joint cooperation in the framework ofmigration and health, including those arising from

European Parliament’srelevant international agreements and instruments. The EU

demographic dynamics and pandemics. At the same time,

plenary gave its consent

and Japan must take the lead in combating climate change

people-to-people and institutional exchanges in the areas ofto the SPA

and its adverse effects and work in close coordination inculture, tourism, higher education, youth and sports will beinternational organisations and fora, including energy,

promoted and enhanced.

November 2018•

Peace and Security
As like-minded global partners, the EU and Japan
have a shared responsibility and commitment towards

July 2018•Priorty Areas

European Parliament’s
Foreign Affairs Committee
endorsed the SPA

INERNATIONALFORUMDecember 2018
•SETTING NORMS
AND STANDARDS

4Support Facility for the Implementation of the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement

sustainable agriculture, forestry and fishery resources.

5

EU-JAPAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (SPA)

Cooperation
Fields1

2

Democracy, the rule oflaw, human rights andfundamental freedoms

93

Promotion of peaceand security

10

International and regional
cooperation and reform ofthe United Nations

17

Development
policyCustomsCombating money
laundering andfinancing of terrorism

6

Support Facility for the Implementation of the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement

20

Agriculture

Combatingillicit drugs

36

Cyberissues

Promoting the investigationand prosecution ofserious crimes

13

14

Science,technology andinnovation

Passengers’
name records

ClimatechangeUrban
policy32

Judicial
affairs

HealthCombatingcorruption andorganised crime40

39Personal dataprotection

Industrial
affairs

24

31

38

Migration

Outer
space

Environment

Employment andsocial affairs

Chemical, biological,
radiological and nuclear
risk mitigation

16

23

3037Counterterrorism

Transport (aviation,maritime andrailway sectors)

Consumerpolicy

8152229

Maritime
affairs

Fisheries

35

34

Transferring control ofconventional weapons,including small arms

212827

6

Informationsociety

Tourism75

Economic andfinancial policy

Disastermanagement andhumanitarian action

Taxation

EnergyNon-proliferationof weapons ofmass destruction

12192633

Crisismanagement111825

4Youth educationand sport

Culture7

SUPPORT FACILITY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
EU-JAPAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (SPA)The Facility

How It Works

The EU launched a Support Facility in 2019 to contribute to the effective implementation of the SPA, including

The initiatives to be promoted are usually identified in thestrengthened cooperation in selected policy areas of EU-Japan mutual interest.

context of High-Level Sector Dialogues and EU-Japan bilateralThe project aims to enhance awareness, understanding and transparency of the EU-Japan SPA amongst
stakeholders and the general public, to support EU-Japan policy dialogues, to promote the participation of awide variety of stakeholders and to align legislative and policy approaches in areas of mutual interest,including by implementing joint EU-Japan initiatives.

THE SPECIFIC ACTIVITIESTO BE SUPPORTED BY
THE FACILITY INCLUDE
THE ORGANIZATION OF:talks, which take place on a regular basis. The activities are a
response to the priorities and mutual interests of the EU andJapan, and they involve both the EU Directorates General andtheir Japanese counterparts in a proactive way.

• Conferences• Legal analysis

How to Get Involved• Workshops• Innovative activities that

The SPA aims to involve a broad spectrum of stakeholders. Public entities, private businesses, civil society• Technical seminars and visits• Studiesenhance and enrich EU-Japan
relations and dialogues

organisations and academics with connections to EU-Japan relations are encouraged to participate in the activities andpropose new potential initiatives aligned with the priorities and shared interests of the EU and Japan.

Completed Activities
The EU and Japan have already collaborated on several projects in a variety of areas, bringing together stakeholders andThe opportunities for EU-Japan collaboration promoted and funded by the support facility can cover a wide

experts with an aim towards strengthening bilateral ties, bolstering innovation and informing future policies. These include:

range of areas, including:•Connectivity Cooperation
The EU and Japan’s approach to connectivity andConnectivity Seminar to share connectivity initiatives andexamples of specific projects for collaboration between the EU
and Japan in December 2022

•Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights related 4
workshops, including a side event of G7 Summit, to enhanceConnectivity Seminar
held at the EU Delegation
to Japan, December 2022

sustainable infrastructure is based on clear values andsecurity,interests, namely that connectivity must be sustainable,

disinformation to adapt to a shifting geopoliticalcomprehensive, and rules-based.

landscape.

bilateral cooperation in the area gender, 2022-23.
•Literature review, gender stakeholder mapping, institutional
exchange and 3 thematic workshop to incorporate the issue

Green Recovery and Climate Change
The EU and Japan share the aim of becoming climate-of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Japan’s

neutral by 2050. We have formed a Green Alliance torecovery efforts from Covid-19 in 2022-23.
•Green Transition Seminars (Batteries, Plastic, Renewableenergy, Climate science) to provide an opportunity to debateEuropean environmental and climate change policies with thebroader stakeholders in Japan in April 2023.

•cybersecurity

andOuter Space
Identifying opportunities to provide mutual support toestablish

andimprovecapabilities

and

share

information about actions and events that might affectaccelerate the transition of both economies towards

the safety and stability of the space domain. Both thebecoming climate-neutral, circular and resource-efficient

EU and Japan can benefit from information sharing

in the coming decades.

andmutuallearning

amonglegalandpolicypractitioners.
Digitalisation
Both Japan and the EU have the interest to defineJapan’s activities under Mission Innovation; and to present

practical areas and modalities of digital cooperation,

HealthCollaboration between the EU and Japan will help repair

policy developments and concrete actions related to theSeminar to mark the 75th anniversary since the adoption ofthe Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

8peacekeeping,

SID Seminars to disseminate information on the EU’s anddevelopment of Solar Energy technologies in July 2023.
•Working lunch, with thepresence of EU
Commissioner Dalli,
within the Gender
Equality and Women’s
Empowerment in Japan’srecovery efforts fromCovid-19 in 2022-23,
June 2023

Security & Defence
Collaborating on capabilities in the areas of maritime

Support Facility for the Implementation of the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement

Panel-discussion during
the Seminar to mark the75th anniversary since
the adoption of theUniversal Declaration of
Human Rights,
December 2023

explore multilateral or trilateral cooperation prospects

the immediate economic and social damage broughtwith other like-minded partners, and assess theirabout by the coronavirus pandemic. Our societies andimplications

technologicalour economies must be greener, more digital, moredevelopment, their weight in the digital economy, andresilient and a better fit for the current and forthcoming

their capacity to frame the global digital governance.

challenges.

fortheirrespective

9

Useful Information
EU-Japan SPA (legal text, EU languages): eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT
EU-Japan SPA (legal text, Japanese / English): www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/erp/ep
Delegation of the European Union to Japan: eeas.europa.eu/delegations/japan
Mission of Japan to the European Union: www.eu.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
European Parliamentary Research Service: Japan: epthinktank.eu/tag/japan
EEAS: EU-Japan Relations: eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en
MOFA: EU-Japan Relations: www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/eu/index.html

Delegation of the European Union to Japan
Europa House, 4-6-28 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047, Japan
Tel. 81(0)3-5422-6001 | Fax. 81(0)3-5420-5544 | delegation-japan@eeas.europa.eu