Japan and EU Forge Historic Security and Defense Partnership

The agreement marks the EU's first security pact with an Indo-Pacific nation, aiming to counter regional threats from China, North Korea, and Russia.

The partnership includes joint military exercises, defense industry exchanges, and cooperation in maritime security and cyberdefense.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasized the need for alliances amid global rivalries and threats, highlighting the interconnected security challenges facing Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
Japan's new security strategy involves increasing defense spending to NATO standards and easing arms export restrictions to bolster its role on the global stage.
Concerns over North Korea's missile development and its military ties with Russia were central to the discussions, alongside support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.
The EU-Japan agreement is part of broader EU efforts to engage with the Indo-Pacific, with similar defense talks planned in South Korea.