Japan-EU Relations
The 2nd Japan-EU Security and Defence Dialogue
May 14, 2026
On May 14, the 2nd Japan-EU Security and Defence Dialogue was held in Tokyo.
- At this dialogue, held as a follow-up to last June’s meeting, Japan and the EU discussed how to advance security and defence cooperation in areas such as maritime security, cybersecurity, countering disinformation, Women, Peace and Security (WPS), space, and disarmament and non-proliferation, and concurred to further deepen their strategic cooperation.
- Both sides also discussed the strategic environment facing both Japan and the EU, including regional developments and their respective security policies. For our part, we outlined the strategic evolution of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and received the EU’s understanding.
- At this dialogue, the Japanese side was represented by Mr. Katsuro Kitagawa, Director-General of the European Affairs Bureau, and Mr. Seiichiro Taguchi, Deputy Director-General and Ambassador, European Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Koji Yoshino, Director-General for International Affairs, Ministry of Defense. The EU side was represented by Dr. Benedikta von Seherr-Thoss, Managing Director for Peace, Security and Defence, European External Action Service.