Japan and the European Union are set to announce a new security partnership focusing on enhanced military cooperation, senior-level dialogues, and defense industry collaboration. This announcement will be made during a meeting between EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Tokyo, followed by Borrell’s visit to South Korea to discuss concerns over North Korea.

The partnership aims to strengthen joint efforts in maritime security, space, cybersecurity, and countering hybrid threats such as disinformation. Japan views its security environment as increasingly complex, with concerns primarily centered around China’s growing military presence in the region and its stance on Taiwan. As part of Japan’s response, it plans to boost its defense spending to two percent of GDP by 2027, aligning with NATO standards, and has recently expressed interest in forming a NATO-like alliance for collective security in East Asia.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who may lead a minority government after recent elections, emphasized the risk of potential conflicts in East Asia by drawing parallels with the war in Ukraine. Japan has also been working on new defense technologies, including a joint fighter jet with Italy and Britain, expected to be operational by 2035. This new Japan-EU pact underscores the mutual importance both parties place on security in the Indo-Pacific, aligning with the EU's recent drive to strengthen geopolitical alliances in the region.