D-JP - European Parliament

General documents - The 40th EU-Japan Inter-Parliamentary meeting Tokyo October 31 - November 1, 2022 - Delegation for relations with Japan

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 15:16:50 GMT

Chair of the Delegation, Ms Christel Schaldemose (S&D) and 10 Members plus the INTA rapporteur to Japan were in Tokyo for the IPM 31 October - 2 November 2022. The delegation met with Ms Yuriko Koike, Tokyo Governor followed by a meeting with Tokyo Metropolitan Government on zero emission 2050 strategy and smart city planning. Subsequent courtesy calls on Mr Hiroyuki Hosoda, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Mr Hidehisa Otsuji, President of the House of Councillors, the IPM then opened, Co Chaired by Hajime Funada, Chair of the Diet delegation and Christel Schaldemose Chair of the EP Japan delegation. With a very full agenda and speakers from both sides actively engaged, the IPM concluded on 1 November with the signatures from both Chairs on an agreed Joint Statement. After further Tokyo meetings including with Ms ONODA Kimi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ministry of Defence and Mr YAMADA Kenji, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, the delegation was delighted to have a fruitful exchange with representatives from the civil society to balance the programme. Travelling to Nagoya, Japans fourth largest city, the delegation also met with Mr Hideaki Omura, Aichi Governor. A visit to Toyota and also to Skydrive ensured the programme remained focused on research and development in areas including digital and future energy producers. The final report will be published in due course.

Final report of the 40th EU-Japan IPM 2022

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

General documents - The 40th EU-Japan Inter-Parliamentary meeting - Joint Statement 1 Nov 2022 - Delegation for relations with Japan

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 08:20:13 GMT

Signed Joint Statement

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Statement made High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell, 8 July 2022 - Delegation for relations with Japan

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 08:42:07 GMT

"I am appalled by the tragic news that Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has passed away after succumbing a heinous attack, which took place during the campaign for a democratic election.

We condemn it in the strongest possible terms. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Japanese people.

Today, the European Union loses a friend that helped deepen and strengthen bilateral relations in all areas - important work which is continuing under Prime Minister Kishida.

As the longest-serving Prime Minister in Japan, Shinzo Abe will be remembered as an unwavering ally in the pursuit of peace, democracy, and the rule of law - in Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the world.

The EU and Japan will continue to work side-by-side to further foster these principles, which are now more important than ever."

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Statement made on 8 July 2022 by Chair of the Delegation, Christel Schaldemose - Delegation for relations with Japan

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 08:37:40 GMT

"I am absolutely horrified by the extreme violence that has led to the passing away of Japan's former and longest serving Prime Minister and a friend of Europe, Shinzō Abe during the election campaign in Nara. My thoughts are with Mr Abe's family and the whole Japanese nation in this difficult situation.

Mr Abe's legacy on promoting the partnership and connectivity with the European Union will not be forgotten. This year has highlighted again that close partners must get together more closely to defend the freedoms and rights we so much value . The work to further deepen our bilateral ties will continue and accelerate on all political levels as well as by the exchanges of the people of Japan and the EU".

8 July, 2022

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Meeting of the 20 June 2022 in Brussels - Delegation for relations with Japan

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 09:32:06 GMT

The delegation meeting took place on Monday 20 June from 16hr-17hr in Brussels. Following the departure of the previous First Vice Chair Eric Andrieu, MEP Dan Nica (RO, S&D) was elected by acclamation as the new First Vice Chair of the Delegation for relations with Japan. An open discussion took place between Mr Bruno Gautrais, Head of Unit DG SANTE, the Japanese Mission and Japan Delegation Members on remaining EU's import restrictions to food stuffs from Japan following the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in 2011. The matter was described by the Japanese Ambassador as "the single most thorny issue in the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership". Ambassador MASAKI Yasushi, Mission of Japan to the EU, stressed that the import measures on Japanese products should be resolved by scientific data and findings and that Japan is requesting the EU to eliminate the restrictive measures as soon as possible. A further discussion covered the 40th EU-Japan IPM to be held in Tokyo later in the year.

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Indo-Pacific: a region of key strategic significance for the EU - Delegation for relations with Japan

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 08:05:02 GMT

Parliament adopted a report on Tuesday, reflecting how the EU should protect its interests and work more closely with its partners in the Indo-Pacific.copy the link below

Indo-Pacific: a region of key strategic significance for the EU

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Statement by President of the EU Council Charles Michel, Hiroshima , May 2022 - Delegation for relations with Japan

Fri, 13 May 2022 08:00:46 GMT

President Michel gave a statement on his visit to Hiroshima. Please click the link below

Statement by President of EU Council

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Joint statement of the 28th EU-Japan Summit 12 May 2022 in Tokyo - Delegation for relations with Japan

Fri, 13 May 2022 07:55:26 GMT

President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, representing the EU, met Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the 28th EU-Japan summit in Tokyo, Japan. Please click on the link below

Joint statement

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Meeting of 28 April with Members of Japan's National Diet on Russia's war on Ukraine - Delegation for relations with Japan

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 08:11:00 GMT

MEPs led by Chair Christel Schaldemose, met via the internet with Mr Hajime FUNADA, President of Japan-EU Interparliamentary League of Friendship of the National Diet of Japan and several Diet members. The meeting, a follow up to an exchange of views with Ambassador Yasushi MASAKI, also a letter on Ukraine sent from EP Chair to Mr Funada, and a Joint Statement by them on 20 April. Chair Schaldemose reported on the EPs position and the resolution on the Russia's aggression against Ukraine and recognised the course of action that Japan had taken to condemn and sanction Russia. Mr Funada said dialogue and cooperation with the EP is essential. He stressed that it is important for more Asian countries to join the sanctions and said that Japan is working towards that. Vice President and MEP, Pedro Silva Pereira stressed that it is Russia to blame with no justification for the aggression. It is an international duty to cooperate. The right message of the right time is that we stay united.

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Joint statement Japan Delegation - Diet of 20 April 2022 on Russia's war on Ukraine - Delegation for relations with Japan

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 12:17:58 GMT

The Chair of the Japan Delegation Ms Christel Schaldemose has today, together with her Diet counterpart President Hajime Funada, the National Diet's Japan-EU Interparliamentary League of Friendship, made a joint statement on Russia's war on Ukraine. They condemned Russia's attack, blatant disregard of the sovereignty and free right to self-determination of Ukraine and the atrocities to civilian population. They called for end of the war through sincere peace negotiations and appealed to all parties who could facilitate the peace efforts.

Full text of the joint statement

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Meeting of the delegation in Brussels on 14 March 2022 - Delegation for relations with Japan

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 10:56:09 GMT

The Joint meeting was held with all three Delegation Chairs and with Members from the Japan and India delegations. H.E. Ambassador Caroline Millar, Mission of Australia to the EU, H.E. Ambassador Santosh Jha, Mission of India to the EU and H.E. Ambassador Yasushi Masaki, Mission of Japan to the EU addressed the delegations on "The EU Indo-Pacific Strategy and the security implications of QUAD" engaging equally in outlining their main security concerns, while David McAllister, AFET Chair and SEDE rapporteur presented the main features of the SEDE report and of the security implications of the Indo-Pacific Strategy. The Delegation Chairs and Ambassadors look forward to the adoption by SEDE and then by Plenary of the McAllister report.

Multimedia link
Draft agenda for the Delegation meeting

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - A Joint meeting will take place Monday 14th March 18h45 This meeting is IN CAMERA - Delegation for relations with Japan

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 13:46:56 GMT

A Joint meeting with members from the Delegations for Relations with Australia and New Zealand (DANZ) & India (D-IN) on Monday 14 March, 2022 from 18h45-20.00hrs in room ASP 3G3. On the agenda, "The EU Indo-Pacific Strategy and the security implications of QUAD". The Chair is delighted to receive H.E. Ambassador Yasushi Masaki, Mission of Japan to the EU, H.E. Ambassador Caroline Millar, Mission of Australia to the EU, and H.E. Ambassador Santosh Jha, Mission of India to the EU, for an exchange of views. Mr David McAllister, Chair of the AFET committee and also SEDE rapporteur on "The EU and the security challenges in the Indo-Pacific" will brief the delegation on the latest developments. Interpretation in EN, FR DE IT and PL are available.

Draft agenda for thre Joint meeting on 14 March

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

General documents - Japan’s decision to resume whaling in the 2015-2016 season 6 July 2016 - Delegation for relations with Japan

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 10:25:30 GMT

The European Parliament adopted by 610 votes to 11, with 77 abstentions, a resolution on Japan's decision to resume whaling in the 2015-2016 season.

The text adopted in plenary was adopted by the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE, GUE/NGL, Greens/EFA and EFDD groups. Parliament recalled that in 1982 the International Whaling Commission (IWC) put in place a moratorium on all commercial whaling, which is still in force.

The resolution noted that the EU and its Member States have criticised Japan for resuming activities and for not paying sufficient regard to the 2014 ICJ opinion. In this regard Parliament called on Japan to stop its whaling activities and to abide by the conclusions of the IWC.

It urged the EU and its Member States to do their utmost to resolve the issue through political dialogue and through the IWC.

The Commission, the EEAS and the Member States are called upon to continuously engage with Japan on the issue of alleged scientific whaling with a view to abolishing the practice [...]

Resolution of 6 July 2016 (EN)

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

General documents - Resolution on the adequacy of the protection of personal data afforded by Japan 13 December 2018 - Delegation for relations with Japan

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 10:23:43 GMT

Resolution on the adequacy of the protection of personal data afforded by Japan

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

General documents - EP resolution of 6 July 2020 International and domestic parental abduction of EU children in Japan - Delegation for relations with Japan

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 10:22:46 GMT

Members of Parliament are alarmed at the number of child abduction cases in Japan

EP resolution of 6 July 2020 on International and domestic parental abduction of EU children in Japan

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

General documents - Meeting of 18 November 2021 in Brussels - Delegation for relations with Japan

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 09:14:09 GMT

The meeting of the delegation took place on Thursday 18 November. Minister Akihiro Ōkōchi from the Japanese Mission highlighted major achievements and benefits of the first years of the implementation of EU-Japan EPA. In the run up to the WTO Ministerial Conference MC12, Minister Ōkōchi and colleagues from DG TRADE all agreed this conference would formally launch the discussions on a WTO reform. Ms Elena Suárez, Advisor on WTO and Japan, BusinessEurope, expressed her support to many of the objectives mentioned and stressed that it is a strong supporter of WTO and cooperates with its counterpart in Japan.

Draft agenda for the meeting Thursday 18 November 2021
Minutes of the meeting 25 February 2021

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

General documents - Joint statement of the 27th EU -Japan Summit 27 May, 2021 - Delegation for relations with Japan

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 09:59:29 GMT

Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Yoshihide Suga, Prime Minister of Japan, met via videoconference on 27 May 2021 for the 27th EU-Japan Summit and issued the following statement attached below

Joint statement

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

General documents - Bureau members meet with Members of Japan's National Diet via internet - Delegation for relations with Japan

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 07:50:50 GMT

On Thursday 10 June, the Bureau led by Ms Christel Schaldemose, Chair of the Delegation, co-chaired an informal online meeting with Members of Japan's National Diet led by MP Mr Nobuteru Ishihara. Three main points were discussed; "Response to the Covid-19 crisis", "Actions on Climate Change " and "Topical Debates, Updates (ILO Convention, Tokyo Olympics, etc)".See the attached briefing below

Briefing of the Joint on line meeting

General documents - Joint meeting in Brussels, Thursday 22 April 2021 with DANZ and DKOR members - Delegation for relations with Japan

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 08:35:34 GMT

The meeting entirely devoted to the EU Strategy on Indo-Pacific. Two speakers, Ambassador Jasper Wieck, Federal Foreign Office, Germany & Mr George Cunningham from EEAS, both crucial experts in shaping strategic options, represented the complimentary visions from M.S. & the EU. Ambassador Wieck presented the three German basic principles: Inclusiveness of the region; Diversification: Focusing on strengthening partnership with like-minded countries e.g.Australia, Japan, NZ; Rules-based Multilateralism; strategies to counteract any bi-polarity in the region. Mr Cunningham stressed main areas to work on: carbon emission, trade & economic relationships. He underlined the importance of human rights, security & military options for the EU in the region, notably ensuring maritime safety and free passage in order to safeguard the region's strategic autonomy. He recalled the next important steps and opportunities, especially the EU-India summit on the 8 May.

minutes of the meeting 25 February 2021
draft agenda of the joint meeting with DANZ and DKOR

General documents - Meeting of 25 February 2021, Interactio Remote, Brussels - Delegation for relations with Japan

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 14:32:43 GMT

The Bureau was elected by acclamation. Chair, Ms Schaldemose, S&D, Denmark, 1st Vice Chair, Mr Eric Andrieu, S&D, France and 2nd Vice Chair Ms Eva Maydell, EPP member from Bulgaria. Ambassador Masaki highlighted events from the past months: Indo Pacific strategies, EU-Asia connectivity, EPA Joint Committees second anniversary. On Japan's carbon-neutrality 2050 target Ambassador Masaki said that Japan will announce it in the COP26 in Glasgow. On EU-Japan green business opportunities the Ambassador listed wind power, hydrogen and electric battery applications. He concluded by wishing that the next EU-Japan Summit will strengthen cooperation on green policies. DG Petriccione focused on priority areas: carbon removal & certification systems, climate strategy on forests. Investments in infrastructure for eg: Steel production with hydrogen. Agreeing with the Ambassador he stressed hydrogen, and renewable energies as some of the most important areas of cooperation with Japan.

Draft agenda February 25th
EUs commitment to climate neutrality
Minutes of the meeting 30 November
EU Japan cooperation on green policies

General documents - Meeting of 30 November 2020 - Interactio remote Brussels - Delegation for relations with Japan

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 09:00:35 GMT

The meeting took place on Monday 30th November. H.E MASAKI, Mission of Japan to the EU listed the many positive impacts the EPA has already had in the first 1,5 years of implementation on the bilateral trade despite the COVID environment. Besides the implementation of the two agreements and the EU-Japan Partnership on Connectivity and Quality Infrastructure, he considered other main priorities of climate change, digital transformation, security and cooperation on public health. He stressed that we share the values of democracy, rule of law and promote free trade. Vice President Ewa Kopacz, EP Coordinator on children's rights spoke on Parental child abductions in Japan from mixed European-Japanese families in Japan. The VP reminded that the UN Convention states that parties should support the children's rights and their best interest. The child has the right not to miss the cultural and linguistic richness of both parents. The next meeting will be held in 2021.

draft agenda of the meeting 30 November
draft minutes of the meeting 15 January 2020

General documents - EU-Japan Leaders' Meeting via VTC on 26 May 2020, Joint Press release - Delegation for relations with Japan

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 09:24:05 GMT

H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and H.E. Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, held a Leaders' meeting via VTC on 26 May 2020

Joint press release: Japan-EU Leaders' meeting

General documents - Joint statement of the 26th EU-Japan summit April 2019 - Delegation for relations with Japan

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 09:19:14 GMT

Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the EU-Japan summit in Brussels 25 April 2019

General documents - EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement - Delegation for relations with Japan

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 12:32:29 GMT

2018/0091M(NLE) EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement
EU-Japan EPA
EU Japan EPA
EU Japan EPA

General documents - The 39th EU-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Meeting - Delegation for relations with Japan

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 10:00:38 GMT

The Chair of the Delegation for relations with Japan, Ms Neena Gill, CBE, welcomed Honourable members of the Japanese Diet to the 39th IPM in Strasbourg. Mr Itsunori Onodera, Co Chair of the IPM was accompanied by 8 members.Following two working sessions, covering topics on Economic and Social developments in the EU and Japan, EPA and SPAs, Climate Change & COP25 and Regional Dimensions, a Joint Statement was signed by both Chairs.

Draft programme of the 39th EU-Japan IPM
Co signed Joint Statement