Brussels Times Reports on Expanding EU–Japan Regional Cooperation

An article published today by The Brussels Times highlighted growing cooperation between European and Japanese regions as both sides seek to strengthen local-level partnerships in response to shared economic and societal challenges.

The article, titled “EU, Japanese regions boost ties as economic challenges demand cooperation,” reported on a high-level meeting held in Tokyo on 2 June, bringing together ambassadors from the European Union and its Member States with governors and vice-governors from Japanese prefectures.

According to The Brussels Times, discussions focused on expanding cooperation in areas including tourism, academic exchanges, trade, investment, industrial cooperation, innovation, SME internationalisation, and sustainable and resilient economic development. The article cited the European External Action Service (EEAS), which described the meeting as part of broader efforts to strengthen ties between European and Japanese regions and local authorities.

EU Ambassador to Japan Jean-Eric Paquet highlighted the significant potential for deeper regional cooperation, noting that he had visited all 47 Japanese prefectures and consistently encountered strong interest in building links with European partners. He emphasized the value of direct engagement between local and regional authorities as a complement to the broader EU–Japan partnership.

The article also featured comments from Nagano Governor Shuichi Abe, Chairman of Japan’s National Governors’ Association, who stressed that many of today’s challenges transcend borders and require international cooperation. He pointed to the importance of strengthening links between Japanese prefectures, municipalities, and European counterparts to exchange experience, expertise, and practical solutions.

Additional information shared by Cesar Moreno of the European External Action Service in Tokyo underscored the scale and significance of the meeting. According to Moreno, the event brought together representatives from 9 Japanese prefectures and 26 EU Member State Ambassadors and Chargés d’Affaires. Moreno also noted:

The IURC programme was highlighted during the opening speech as one of the main channels of regional/urban cooperation with Japan and some examples of collaboration supported by IURC (such as the city pairing Turku/Nagano) were also mentioned.

The reference reflects the role of the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme in supporting practical city-to-city and region-to-region exchanges between Europe, Asia and Australasia. Through technical exchanges, study visits, Communities of Practice, and pilot projects, IURC helps local and regional authorities build partnerships, share knowledge, and develop solutions to common challenges.

While the Japanese prefectures represented at the meeting are not currently participating in IURC activities, the discussions highlighted the growing interest in strengthening cooperation between European and Japanese subnational authorities. They also demonstrate the increasing importance of regional and local diplomacy as a complement to national-level relations.

As Europe and Japan deepen cooperation on economic security, digital transformation, the green transition, innovation, connectivity, and research, partnerships between cities and regions are expected to play an increasingly important role. Initiatives such as IURC help create the networks and relationships that enable these exchanges to move from dialogue to practical collaboration.

The Brussels Times article offers a timely reminder of the value of sustained international cooperation at the local and regional level and the opportunities that exist for further collaboration between European and Japanese cities, regions, and prefectures.