Section 5 Europe

1 Overview

<The Importance of Cooperation with Europe, with which Japan Shares Fundamental Values and Principles>

The European Union (EU) and European countries are important partners for Japan, and share fundamental values and principles such as freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. The importance of cooperation with the EU and European countries is further increasing as the existing international order is threatened and geopolitical competition intensifies, including with Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and as international cooperation is required in addressing global issues such as countermeasures against the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.

European countries pursue common policies across a wide range of fields such as diplomacy, security, economy, and state finance, through various frameworks including the EU. They also play an important role in formulating standards in the international community. The countries also influence international opinion benefiting from their language, history, cultural and artistic activities, and through communication activities utilizing major media organizations and think tanks. Cooperation with Europe is important in enhancing Japan's presence and influence in the international community.

<Russia's Aggression Against Ukraine and Europe>

In response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine that began in February 2022, sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine became one of the most important issues for Europe. The EU and NATO member countries unanimously and strongly condemned Russia and imposed severe sanctions in rapid succession, including financial sanctions, travel bans on individuals and entities, and restrictions on imports and exports. The member countries have also expressed their unlimited solidarity with Ukraine, indicated their stance on spearheading international assistance ranging from military and humanitarian support to financial assistance, and have been implementing their assistance as necessary. In addition, in response to the large influx of Ukrainian evacuees mainly into Eastern European countries, assistance has also been provided to the countries surrounding Ukraine that are directly affected. Moreover, European leaders made declarations of solidarity one after the other, beginning with the visit to Kyiv by the prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia (in March).

European countries hitherto had deeply interdependent relations with Russia centered on energy and economic aspects. However, European countries have changed direction toward reducing their dependence on Russia for energy, including Germany's decision to suspend the approval process for the completed Russian natural gas pipeline “Nord Stream 2,” and many European companies have announced their withdrawal from Russian business.

EU and NATO member countries have been continuously implementing military support to Ukraine, which has lower military capabilities than Russia, while acting carefully to avoid becoming a direct party to the conflict. Such support has included modern equipment such as anti-tank missiles and multiple rocket launchers. Moves have been observed to further strengthen such support, including Germany's decision on a policy of providing its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine at the end of January 2023.

<Multilayered, Attentive Diplomacy with Europe>

In Europe, the importance of fundamental values and principles such as freedom, democracy, and human rights, as well as the rule of law and compliance with international law, is being further recognized amidst the response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine. On the other hand, a fine-tuned approach is required that takes into account the diversity of European countries and their respective circumstances. Japan supports a strongly united Europe and conducts multilayered and tailored diplomacy for it. In 2022, despite the constraints of COVID-19, Japan has confirmed close cooperation with European countries through increased in-person visits by dignitaries and the use of teleconference meetings and telephone calls.

In particular, Prime Minister Kishida and Foreign Minister Hayashi respectively held summit meetings and foreign ministers' meetings with various European countries by taking the opportunity of their in-person attendance at the Munich Security Conference (February), the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs (April), and the NATO Summit (June), as well as the G7 Elmau Summit (June) and the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meetings (May and November) held under the German presidency. They confirmed cooperation in responding to the situation in Ukraine, and exchanged views on global issues such as the realization of “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP), climate change, and responding to COVID-19, as well as on the situation in East Asia. In addition, due to the increasingly complex international situation, 2022 was also a year of further deepening security and defense cooperation with European countries. The Sixth Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministers' Meeting (“2+2”) was held online in January, an agreement in principle was reached on the Japan-UK Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) in May, Eurofighter Typhoons and other German military aircrafts visited Japan in September, the second Japan-Germany Foreign and Defense Ministers' Meeting (“2+2”) was held in November, the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology was signed in December, and a mutual understanding on the joint development of next-generation fighter aircraft was reached by Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy in December as well. In addition, during Prime Minister Kishida's visit to Europe in January 2023, the Japan-UK RAA was signed, Japan-Italy relations were upgraded to “Strategic Partners,” and the Japan-Italy Political-Military Dialogue was launched.

During the year 2022, Prime Minister Kishida held in-person meetings with the leaders of Poland (March); Switzerland (April); Italy, Vatican, the UK, and Finland (May); Spain and Sweden (June); Ireland (July); the UK (September); and Lithuania and Luxembourg (October). He confirmed specific cooperation with the European countries during the meetings. With the Baltic States, Japan held the 3rd Japan-Baltic Cooperation Dialogue in October, the first time in three years. With the V4¹, Japan held the 11th “V4+Japan” Policy Dialogue in Tokyo in May, which was the first in-person meeting in four years. With the Western Balkan countries², Japan held the Inter-regional Conference “Promote culture of tolerance and mutual respect within the region” with participants from the Western Balkan countries in March, as well as summit meetings and ministerial meetings with North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, and Serbia.

Furthermore, Japan conducts public diplomacy activities including dispatch of experts, cooperation with European think tanks, and Japan's Friendship Ties Programs “MIRAI” for intellectual and people-to-people exchange that allows young people from Europe to visit Japan. These activities are aimed to promote the accurate picture of Japan and Asia and mutual understanding. By utilizing online exchanges, Japan is working on strengthening relations with Europe by conducting information-sharing and exchanges of views with European countries, organizations, and experts in a wide range of fields such as politics, security, economy, business, science and technology, education, culture and art.

• 1 V4: Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary. For more information, see “Other European Regions” on page 146
• 2 Western Balkans: Albania, Northern Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro