EU-Japan Security Partnership

By Mehmet Enes Beşer

The EU–Japan security partnership represents a promising but insufficiently developed pillar of international security cooperation. Despite the shared values, economic interdependence, and commitment to the international order grounded on rules, the EU–Japan partnership has been viewed more as symbolic affirmation of mutual intentions rather than strategic action aimed at practical implementation of cooperation. With the rise of geopolitical uncertainty in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, there is a need to transform this partnership from a declaration into a strategy.

Security Partnership Based on Shared Interests

The EU and Japan share similar strategic goals, namely commitment to multilateralism and free trade. Formal recognition of a broad commitment to political, economic, and security cooperation was provided with signing the EU–Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement in 2019, and the EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. Nevertheless, the security dimension of the partnership between these parties has been left undeveloped despite growing geopolitical uncertainty in Europe and Asia.

While Japan began to actively participate in international security initiatives since adoption of the new National Security Strategy, with growing defense expenditure, improvement in deterrence capability, and strengthening of the country’s relations with NATO, the EU is also becoming increasingly interested in the security in the Indo-Pacific region. Nevertheless, while high-level talks and declarations are being signed, concrete actions in the security area remain insufficiently developed, and the actual partnership in this field remains mostly symbolic.

Geopolitical Pressures Driving Security Cooperation

Both Japan and the EU face growing security challenges. In the case of the EU, this is primarily the Russian invasion of Ukraine, forcing EU member countries to revise their defense strategies and increase the military readiness of their armed forces, as well as strengthening relations with NATO. On the other hand, the situation in East Asia is characterized by rising tensions between Japan and China in the region, the nuclear ambitions of North Korea, and geopolitical competition for control in the Indo-Pacific region.

Given the geopolitical pressure faced by both parties, a step toward a security partnership would seem a logical step. Indeed, while Japan shows its willingness to cooperate with Europeans, participating in talks within the framework of the NATO and building defense relations with European countries, such as the UK, Germany, and France, Europe is striving to increase its influence in the Indo-Pacific. However, this process is slow because of internal disagreements regarding security issues.

Impediments to Development of Security Partnership

Despite the common strategic interests of both the EU and Japan, several issues prevent the partnership from progressing towards the next level. One of these impediments includes internal differences in European defense policy. Indeed, the EU has an inadequate Common Security and Defense Policy without a proper military component. This leads to a number of differences in the way individual EU member countries view the issue of security cooperation with Japan.

The second factor limiting the progress of cooperation is Japan’s limitations imposed by the Constitution on joining military alliances. While Japan managed to improve its defense posture, including reinterpretation of the Constitution, some restrictions still apply in relation to joining alliances. For instance, although Japan participates in military intelligence and training, this participation does not amount to a comprehensive military collaboration with EU members.

The last factor preventing the EU and Japan from developing a military partnership is the lack of an appropriate framework of operation. In contrast to the Quad alliance with the US, India, and Australia, where Japan actively cooperates, or relations with NATO, where Japan continues to expand its defense ties, the framework of military collaboration with the EU does not exist.

How to Make the Partnership Work?

To turn the security partnership with Japan into a truly strategic one, the EU should follow several steps.

First, there is a need to establish regular security dialogue that goes beyond diplomatic rhetoric and outlines specific steps for practical implementation of collaboration in the sphere of defense and intelligence.

Second, to achieve closer ties with Japan, the EU should focus on improving military interoperability with Japan. It includes conducting joint military training, primarily naval training, as this is an important area of concern for the EU due to the latter’s rising interest in the Indo-Pacific security issues. France, with its territories in the Indo-Pacific, and the UK, which strengthens security relations with Japan post-Brexit, should lead the initiative.

Finally, EU member states need to overcome internal conflicts and develop a coherent strategy for engaging with the Indo-Pacific region, recognizing Japan as its cornerstone. The European Peace Facility could be applied, as it was previously used in relation to Ukraine to support the latter in the sphere of military cooperation, to provide Japan and the EU with resources necessary for implementing security initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly capacity-building projects in Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

The partnership between the EU and Japan is a strategically promising aspect of international security, however, it has been mostly limited to rhetoric without practical application. The EU faces a significant geopolitical challenge in Ukraine, while Japan needs help with addressing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. However, due to various reasons, the development of this security partnership has been delayed, and there is a need for both sides to take additional steps.