Defence & Security

The emergence of state expansionism and increased uncertainty in various parts of the world, including the East Asian region, combined with a shift in U.S. foreign policy focusing more on the U.S. mainland, have altered the security environment for Japan. Furthermore, the growing gravity of terrorist threats and asymmetric warfare, along with the rapid emergence of new security domains such as cyber and space, in addition to the traditional domains of land, sea, and air, indicate that national security can no longer be addressed solely from a traditional geopolitical perspective and is difficult to be solved by individual countries.

Under these circumstances, while maintaining the Japan-U.S. alliance as the fundamental and crucial part of its national security strategy, Japan faces an increasing need for international cooperation and is positioning itself within a broader global security relationship, focusing on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation. Specifically, Japan has advanced bilateral defence relationships from traditional exchanges to deeper cooperation in a phased manner by appropriately combining various means, including joint exercises, capacity-building assistance, and defence equipment and technology cooperation. Joint exercises between Japan and the EU, or between Japan and some member states in the Indo-Pacific area, reflect a shared vision for maintaining the rules-based international order. At the same time, they promote maritime security in the region, protect the world’s maritime domain from all traditional as well as non-traditional threats, and enhance prosperity through peaceful and stable oceans.

In terms of defence equipment and technology collaboration, Europe has been playing a very important role as one of Japan’s closest and oldest allies that shares universal values and plays a central role in addressing common challenges to global security. While remaining the main partner for Japan, the U.S. cannot necessarily support Japan in all situations, and stronger relationships with Europe in defence should positively contribute to coping with regional expansionism threats as an additional deterrent. Closer cooperation with Europe in the defence field could also induce new opportunities in public procurement and foster collaboration between industries.

In recent developments, on November 1, 2024, Japan and the European Union announced a new security and defence partnership, marking the EU’s first such agreement with an Indo-Pacific country. This partnership includes joint military exercises, defence industry exchanges, and cooperation in cybersecurity and space defence. Both Japan and the EU expressed concerns over regional tensions involving China, North Korea, and Russia, emphasising the need for strengthened cooperation in security and defence.

The EBC welcomes this trend of enhancing bilateral defence cooperation and expects the Government of Japan to pursue and more actively promote the defence equipment and technology aspect of the collaboration, which would open up a window for European companies to participate in international co-development programs. Furthermore, the new policy implemented by the European Union to favour industrial cooperation in defence between member states and open to third parties such as Japan under specific conditions should be explored by the Japanese government as a promising new perspective.