Japan and the European Union are set to unveil a landmark security partnership today, signaling an era of fortified defense collaboration amid escalating regional tensions. Expected to bring more joint military exercises, high-level diplomatic dialogues, and cooperative defense industry ventures, this new partnership arrives as Japan and the EU confront an increasingly volatile security landscape.
Announced during talks in Tokyo, the security alliance will be formalized by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Japan’s Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya. Though the agreement does not explicitly name China, Japan has consistently emphasized China’s regional military buildup as a pressing security threat, underscoring the urgency behind this strategic partnership.
While neither Japan nor the EU has directly cited specific adversaries in this latest pact, their language reflects concerns over China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific and the interconnectedness of European and Asian security. “The security of the Asia-Pacific region is inseparable from that of Europe and the Atlantic,” said Iwaya, stressing that both regions are now more closely linked in their security challenges than ever before.
For Japan, China’s escalating military presence near Taiwan, its disputed claims in the South China Sea, and its growing technological and cyber capabilities underscore the need for proactive security measures. For Europe, where alliances like NATO have historically shaped defense policy, the Indo-Pacific has recently emerged as an area of high strategic importance, especially as EU member states increasingly consider the security implications of a connected global defense landscape.
The Japan-EU Security and Defense Partnership extends beyond traditional military cooperation, incorporating innovative defense sectors such as cybersecurity, space defense, and hybrid threats. These areas reflect the evolving nature of modern security challenges and the ways that malicious actors might exploit vulnerabilities in increasingly interconnected domains.
Maritime Security: With Japan’s proximity to disputed waters and the EU’s interest in maintaining freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific, maritime security is a top priority. Both parties aim to coordinate naval exercises to bolster readiness and deterrence in the region.
*Space and Cybersecurity: As more nations develop space-based defense assets, space has emerged as a critical domain for security cooperation. The partnership will also include increased information-sharing and coordinated cybersecurity initiatives, focusing on countering cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns.
*Hybrid Threats: The alliance also seeks to mitigate hybrid threats, including foreign disinformation campaigns and interference. This is a growing area of concern for both Japan and the EU, where the need to combat misinformation and prevent external influence has become more pressing.
Japan is committed to meeting the NATO defense spending benchmark of 2 percent of GDP by 2027, a historic move for a nation traditionally averse to military expansion. This boost in defense funding aligns with Japan’s broader strategic pivot, particularly as Japan views China’s aggression toward Taiwan and North Korea’s provocations as direct threats to regional stability.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has linked Japan’s situation to that of Ukraine, warning that “today’s Ukraine could be tomorrow’s East Asia.” Ishiba has also championed the idea of a NATO-like regional defense coalition to enable greater collective security, even as he acknowledges that such a coalition is still a distant goal.
This stance marks a departure from Japan’s post-World War II pacifist policies and indicates the country’s growing willingness to take on a more active security role in Asia. Japan’s recent general election has seen these security issues come to the forefront, with Ishiba and others advocating for the development of Japan’s defense capabilities and partnerships to counter both direct and indirect threats.
The EU’s engagement with Japan is emblematic of its broader strategy in the Indo-Pacific, an approach that seeks to balance the Union’s traditional transatlantic alliances with active participation in Asia. Josep Borrell’s visits to Japan and South Korea this week mark an important step in strengthening EU partnerships with key Indo-Pacific democracies. In a statement on Thursday, Borrell highlighted the EU’s five-year journey to deepen its presence in the region, emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties with Japan and South Korea to align on geopolitical challenges and advance shared democratic values.
“This is a key milestone in our efforts…to strengthen the EU’s active engagement,” Borrell noted, calling the partnership with Japan “a new chapter in our ever-closer relations.”
As Borrell heads to South Korea following his meetings in Japan, North Korea’s recent provocations loom large. Pyongyang’s latest missile test, launched on Thursday, underscores North Korea’s advancing missile technology, which poses a direct threat to both regional allies and the US mainland. The test coincides with heightened international concerns over North Korea’s alleged deployment of troops to Russia to aid in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
These developments add another layer of urgency to the EU’s engagement in the region, highlighting the risks posed by both North Korean militarism and the possibility of closer Russia-North Korea ties. South Korean officials have repeatedly expressed alarm over North Korea’s activities, especially given its potential to destabilize the region further. In light of these threats, the EU’s support is not only symbolic but also a strategic reinforcement of alliances in the face of shared security challenges.
As Japan reconfigures its defense posture, it is also exploring new opportunities in defense technology and hardware. For decades, Japan relied heavily on US-manufactured military equipment, but it is now diversifying its defense portfolio to include collaborations with European defense contractors. This includes a joint fighter jet development initiative with Italy and the UK, slated for a 2035 deployment. This project reflects Japan’s desire for a more self-sufficient and technologically advanced defense industry, as well as a growing willingness to partner with European allies on complex defense systems.
For Japan, the fighter jet collaboration is emblematic of a broader strategic shift aimed at reducing reliance on the United States. While the US remains Japan’s principal defense partner, Japan’s pivot toward European partnerships signals a desire for greater autonomy and diversification in its security strategy.
The partnership’s announcement reinforces both Japan and the EU’s commitment to a rules-based international order in which sovereignty and the rights of smaller nations are respected. By increasing joint drills, strengthening diplomatic channels, and fostering defense industry collaboration, Japan and the EU are positioning themselves as standard-bearers for stability and rule of law in the Indo-Pacific.
Notably, the EU and Japan are also committed to addressing non-military challenges such as climate change and economic instability, which are seen as integral to lasting security. The two parties recognize that economic interdependence, technological resilience, and environmental stewardship are essential components of a holistic security framework that will help insulate the region from future shocks.
As the Japan-EU Security and Defense Partnership takes shape, it is likely to attract the attention of regional players. China, in particular, may view the alliance as an attempt to curb its influence in the Indo-Pacific, further complicating already tense regional dynamics. China’s foreign ministry has previously criticized what it calls “bloc confrontations” in the Indo-Pacific, suggesting that new alliances such as this one only serve to destabilize the region.
In South Korea, the pact is expected to be seen as a positive development. South Korea and Japan share common threats from North Korea, and South Korea has long advocated for deeper ties between Asian and European allies to counterbalance regional threats. Japan’s involvement in creating new security alliances could pave the way for more trilateral or multilateral collaborations that include South Korea and other Indo-Pacific democracies.
