In Japan, preparations for the 2005 EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges began with the establishment of the Organizing Committee chaired by Mr. Hiroshi Okuda, Chairman of the Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), on June 22, 2004.

The "EU-Japan Year" started with performances by Japanese and European youth and professional taiko (Japanese drum) teams on January 17, 2005. More than 450 events in total were held across Japan, including the EU-Japan Friendship Week, Euro Stamp Rally at EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan, as well as performances by theater groups for children and young people from EU countries and performances by young musicians from Central and Eastern Europe on tour to Japan, mutual visits between youths and local people through sister city exchanges and school exchanges, and symposiums on various themes such as politics, economics and high technology. In addition, the "European Autumn Festival in Hibiya" was held in November in commemoration of the "EU-Japan Year". Approximately 60,000 people attended the event in two days and participated in Japan-EU exchanges, enjoying the information booths of various EU member countries, food/drink stands, lectures and workshops on various themes, shows on stage, among other programs.

On December 7, a reception was hosted by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi inviting those involved in the "EU-Japan Year", and was attended by members of the Organizing Committee including Mr. Hiroshi Okuda, the Chairman, and Ambassadors to Japan of EU member countries, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso. At the reception, participants gave a roundup of the Year of People-to-People Exchanges and discussed the further enhancement of Japan-EU relations. Also, "Tokyo Millenario", which marked the beginning of the "EU-Japan Year" as a pre-promotion event in the end of December 2004, was held as a final event of the "EU-Japan Year" in the end of December 2005. This was one of the highlights of the "EU-Japan Year", celebrating its successes which provided many opportunities for exchange as well as wishing for the further development of exchange in the future.