Japan-EU Relations
Courtesy Call on Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru and presentation of the Joint Recommendation by the Japan-EU Business Round Table (BRT) Co-Chairs
July 23, 2025
On July 23, for approximately 15 minutes from 11:00 a.m., Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru received a courtesy call from the Japan-EU Business Round Table (BRT) Co-Chair Mr. ENDO Nobuhiro (Executive Advisor for NEC Corporation), and acting Co-Chair Mr. Jeremy GROSSAS (Representative Director, President of Merck Biopharma Co., Ltd.). The summary of the meeting is as follows:
- At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Endo handed Prime Minister Ishiba the Joint Recommendation to the Government of Japan and the European Commission, which was adopted at the 26th BRT Annual Meeting this February.
- Mr. Endo explained that, at the Annual Meeting, it was confirmed that Japan and the EU would make efforts to deepen cooperation to strengthen industrial competitiveness and ensure economic security, and expressed his intention to contributing to the enhancement of Japan-EU economic relations, working collaboratively with member companies.
- Mr. Grossas stated that the BRT would strive to ensure that Japan and the EU seize opportunities for sustainable growth by addressing current geopolitical and technological challenges.
- Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation between Japan and the EU, which share common values and principles. He expressed his respect for the activities of the Japan-EU Business Roundtable aimed at strengthening economic relations between Japan and the EU. He also stated that he would take the recommendations into consideration and encouraged the BRT to further contribute to deepening cooperation on common challenges facing Japan and the EU, such as economic security and strengthening industrial competitiveness.
(Reference) Japan-EU Business Round Table (BRT)
The BRT was established in 1999 to foster communication between Japanese and European industries. It meets annually, alternately in Japan and in Europe, and the 26th Annual Meeting took place in Tokyo on 12 February 2025.
The BRT is co-chaired by Mr. ENDO Nobuhiro (Executive Advisor of NEC Corporation) and Ms. Belén Garijo (Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck).