Japan, EU to begin negotiations for security info-sharing pact
Japan and the European Union plan to begin negotiations to conclude an accord to facilitate exchanges of classified security information, an EU source said Thursday, amid China's military buildup in the Indo-Pacific region and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The move, along with a plan to launch a dialogue framework to promote defense industry cooperation, is expected to be announced at a regular Japan-EU summit being arranged for July in the Asian country, the source said.
At the envisioned meeting, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will host European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The two European leaders aim to hold a summit with China in late July to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the EU and Beijing, with their trip to Japan expected to be scheduled around the same time, the source said.
Viewing the security of the Indo-Pacific region and Europe as inseparable, Japan and the 27-member bloc have been deepening their collaboration amid heightened Chinese military activity and Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine with support from North Korea.
Unveiling their security and defense partnership, after a foreign ministerial meeting in Tokyo in November, Japan and the EU said they would "explore the possibility of a Japan-EU agreement on the security of information."
In a policy document, they said they also agreed to "conduct consultations on the development of respective defense initiatives, including exchange of information on defense industry-related matters."
© KYODO
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Nikkei Asia
36 minutes ago
- Nikkei Asia
Apple supplier Yageo says bid for Japan's Shibaura is a 'win-win'
NEW TAIPEI/KAOHSIUNG -- Taiwanese electronics supplier Yageo says its acquisition of Japanese peer Shibaura Electronics would be a "win-win" for the makers of passive components used in everything from AI servers and cars to satellites. Yageo, a key Apple and Nvidia supplier, has been attempting to acquire Shibaura to bolster its AI and automotive solutions portfolio.
Kyodo News
an hour ago
- Kyodo News
Japan, U.S. yet to find common ground on tariffs but want quick deal
By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 12:50 | All, Japan, World Japan and the United States have "yet to find common ground" on tariff issues, Tokyo's top negotiator said Friday, indicating that there remain many differences between the sides, but they still aim to clinch a win-win deal in mid-June. After holding talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington, Ryosei Akazawa told reporters that he believes "further progress" was made. They will also "continue coordinating energetically to achieve an agreement that benefits both Japan and the United States," Akazawa said. Akazawa, however, noted that no decision has been made on whether there will be another round of negotiations next week or beyond. He suggested it depends on the schedule of the U.S. Cabinet members who are due to hold high-level trade talks with China in London on Monday. Akazawa, Japan's minister for economic revitalization, and Bessent sat down for about 45 minutes to explore whether it may be feasible for the countries' leaders to reach a trade agreement when they are expected to meet in person in about 10 days. With Lutnick, whom Akazawa also met a day earlier for about two hours, the Japanese minister said he held separate talks of approximately similar length addressing three major areas -- trade, nontariff barriers and economic security. Akazawa declined to reveal details of the negotiations, including which issues had seen progress. However, Akazawa, as he has done consistently in the ongoing talks, said he had reiterated Tokyo's position that the Trump administration's additional tariffs must be removed as quickly as possible, as the measures are having a serious impact on the Japanese economy. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump plan to hold a meeting around the time of the three-day Group of Seven summit in Canada, which starts on June 15. Akazawa, who arrived in the U.S. capital on Thursday for the third straight week and a fifth round of ministerial tariff talks, said the leaders will meet after hearing how far discussions have progressed. Under Trump's so-called reciprocal tariff regime, announced April 2, almost all countries in the world have been hit by a baseline duty of 10 percent, with Japan facing an additional country-specific tariff of 14 percent for a total rate of 24 percent. Along with other countries, Japan has also been affected by the Trump administration's extra 25 percent tariff on automobiles and other sector-based levies implemented on national security grounds. Japan has presented a package of proposals to the United States since the first round of their ministerial talks in mid-April. The package includes joint efforts to strengthen supply chains for semiconductors and critical minerals, cooperation in shipbuilding, expanding imports of U.S. farm products to Japan, and simplification of its safety and environmental requirements for foreign-made cars. Japan does not impose tariffs on imported cars, trucks or buses. The Trump administration has claimed, however, that American automakers' limited penetration into Japan's market is due to nontariff barriers, such as nonacceptance of certain U.S. standards. Related coverage: Japan calls for tariff rethink in talks with U.S. commerce chief Trump's steel tariff hike not raised in Japan-U.S. talks: negotiator Japan, U.S. agree tariff talks making progress toward deal
Japan Times
an hour ago
- Japan Times
Japanese and South Korean leaders could hold first meeting during G7 summit
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung could hold their first meeting at a Group of Seven (G7) summit later this month in Canada, after Lee announced Saturday that he would be attending the event. Lee took office Wednesday after winning South Korea's presidential election following the ouster of his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, over his short-lived martial law declaration in December. The South Korean Presidential Office said in a statement that Lee had been invited by G7 leaders to attend the meeting — making it his first foray onto the international diplomatic stage. The summit involves the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States and is scheduled to take place for three days from June 15. Indian leader Narendra Modi has also been invited by host Canada. Lee, who had in the past been known for a seemingly hard-line stance toward Japan — including his fierce opposition to the Yoon administration's third-party compensation plan for Korean wartime laborers at Japanese factories and mines before and during World War II — repeatedly denied he was anti-Japan, calling this a 'preconception.' In an inaugural address Wednesday, the new South Korean leader said his government would continue Yoon's policy of strengthening cooperation with Japan amid concerns in Tokyo that he might reverse agreements reached under his ousted predecessor that led to a thaw in ties. Ishiba was quick to congratulate Lee on his victory, emphasizing just ahead of Lee's speech that he hoped to use this year, the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, as a chance to "further intensify cooperation between Japan and South Korea' — despite the new president's reputation. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung during his inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul on Wednesday. | BLOOMBERG "The new president has made statements in the past, but during the election campaign he said that Japan is an important partner and that he loves the Japanese people," Ishiba said. "It would be good if we could hold a Japan-South Korea summit as soon as possible," he added. Lee could also hold his first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, while Ishiba may also hold talks with his American counterpart on the sidelines of the summit, where the U.S. and Japan could announce an agreement on a trade deal over sweeping tariffs slapped on Tokyo by Washington. Trump and Lee held their first phone call Friday, with the two agreeing to work toward a swift tariff deal, while Japan's top negotiator met with his U.S. counterparts in Washington this week. Trump has slapped Japan and South Korea — two of the United States' top allies in Asia — with onerous tariffs, measures that both Tokyo and Seoul are eager to see removed. It is not clear if Ishiba, Lee and Trump would also hold talks, though all three leaders have said they hope to continue trilateral cooperation.
