The Mission of Japan to the EU actively carried out events, appropriately taking into account a variety of considerations such as the fact that partners of the events included various EU-related organizations, the EU was in a leading position in Europe to implement the Year of Exchanges, and that grassroots level exchanges are the objective of the "EU-Japan Year." The events have been geared towards the parties concerned with the various EU agencies (including dignitaries), experts and academics, associations promoting Japan-EU friendship, and other people with interest in Japan-EU relations (e.g. people who have been invited to Japan, students). The Mission has been building up the momentum for promoting friendly relations and exchanges between Japan and the EU and holding events that will give European people a lasting impression of Japan.

In particular, there were a wide variety of events ranging from cultural events intended to give European people more familiarity with Japan to Japan-EU intellectual exchanges, including the "Sakura no Yube (Evening of Cherry Blossoms)" concert (April: duo concert with a pianist and violinist who have strong ties to Japan and Europe), "ISAM (International Sumi Art Movement)" exhibition (September: exhibition of Byobu (Japanese folding screen) pictures by a Japanese Sumi-e association), and the Japan-EU Think Tank Roundtable (November: discussions on regional integration and declining birthrate/aging population organized by The Japan Foundation, National Institute for Research Advancement (NIRA) and the European Policy Centre (EPC) in Europe). In addition, the opening event (January) and closing event (December) of the "EU- Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges" which included both a reception and a concert featuring traditional Japanese musical instruments, a Japanese school’s children’s chorus, among others, jointly organized with the EU side and held at the European Commission, were events that most symbolize the Year of Exchanges. Most of these events attracted significantly more visitors than was anticipated. Moreover, there were many visitors who referred to, for instance, the current situation and future of Japan-EU relations and their affinity and admiration towards Japan. It is with these and other factors in mind that the mission feels its activities related to the Year of Exchanges were successfully carried out.

The Mission intends to continue to carry out activities from next year on with a view to further strengthening the Japan-EU ties deepened by the Year of Exchanges.