Japan–European Union relations

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell (L) and Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya (R) pose following a signing ceremony at the Iikura Guest House in Tokyo on Nov. 1, 2024.

Japan and the European Union announced a sweeping new security and defense partnership in Tokyo on Nov. 1, which EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell hailed as a historic and "very timely" step.

In 2018, EU exports of services to countries outside of the EU were valued at €945 billion, while extra-EU imports were valued at €795 billion. Over the last decade, EU ran a trade surplus for services, with a peak in 2018 at €149 billion, Eurostat data showed.

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev met with Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Hoshihigo Seko, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, to host a joint business forum with Japan's Foreign Trade Organization.

The European Union and Japan will hold a summit on July 6 in hopes of sealing broad agreement on a massive trade deal after four years of tough negotiations.

The landmark deal would mark a big victory for free trade just days before a G-20 summit in Germany in which U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to defend his "America First" protectionist stance.