Japan and the EU: Close Security Partners?
Introduction
When Japanese Fighter Jets Flew to Europe
From September 14 to October 1, 2025, something unprecedented happened in the skies over Europe. For the first time in its 71-year history, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) deployed F-15 fighter jets to the continent.
Dubbed "Atlantic Eagles," the mission saw the iconic jets visit allied air bases in the United Kingdom and Germany, a powerful symbol of a rapidly deepening partnership.
General Morita Takehiro, Chief of Staff of the JASDF, captured the historic nature of the moment: "We have named this mission 'Atlantic Eagles,' symbolising our F-15 jets spreading their wings across the Atlantic."
This mission was more than just a friendly visit; it was a clear demonstration of growing trust and shared purpose between two of the world's major democratic powers.
But why is this happening now? This guide will simply explain the key reasons behind this remarkable and growing security relationship for anyone new to international relations.
1. A Historic Shift
From Trade Rivals to Strategic Friends
For decades, the relationship between Japan and the European Union was almost entirely about one thing: economics. It was a partnership often defined by tension, as both were manufacturing powerhouses competing in the global market.
A famous example from 1982 saw Japanese-made video recorders deliberately blocked by customs officials in the small French town of Poitiers, a symbol of the trade frictions of the era. Security and defense were hardly part of the conversation.
Today, that picture has completely changed. In a joint statement from their 2023 summit, the two partners described their relationship as an "ever closer strategic partnership."
A key reason for this shift is the rise of China, which has replaced Japan as the source of the EU's largest trade deficit. This has fundamentally altered the economic dynamic, allowing shared security concerns to come to the forefront.
This remarkable transformation from economic competitors to security partners didn't happen overnight; it has been driven by powerful changes in the global landscape.
2. The Three Big Drivers
Why are Japan and the EU Working Together Now?
Three main drivers are pushing Japan and the EU closer on matters of security and defense. Together, they explain why a partnership that once seemed unlikely is now seen as essential.
2.1. Driver #1: A More Dangerous World (Converging Threat Perceptions)
The most powerful driver is the shared belief that the world has become more volatile and that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific are, in the words of Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, "inseparable and interrelated."
The idea that a crisis in one region directly affects the other is no longer a theory—it's a reality.
This is because a conflict in one region would divert the military and economic resources of key global powers like the United States, directly impacting their ability to respond to threats in the other.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida powerfully illustrated this concept when discussing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, stating: "what happens in Ukraine today could happen in Asia tomorrow."
This has led to a strong convergence in how Japan and the EU view the world's major security challenges, particularly Russia and China.
| Threat | Shared Japan-EU Perception |
| Russia | Condemn the invasion of Ukraine as a violation of international law and a direct challenge to the international order. They jointly call for the "immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal" of Russian forces from Ukraine and express "grave concern" over Russia's deepening military cooperation with North Korea. |
| China | View China as a "systemic rival" and an "economic competitor." Share "serious concerns" about China's military activities in the East and South China Seas and its disruptive actions in the Taiwan Strait. This includes specific concerns about Chinese pressure around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. |
2.2. Driver #2: Standing for the Same Ideals (Shared Values)
In international politics, "shared values" are the common principles that bind nations together.
For Japan and the EU, this means a deep, shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and the preservation of a "free and open international order" where disputes are settled by law, not by force.
This isn't just diplomatic language. The 2023 EU-Japan Summit joint communiqué framed this partnership as a direct response to the growing assertiveness of "autocracies" that challenge these very ideals.
This values-based alignment provides a strong foundation of trust, making deeper security cooperation possible.
2.3. Driver #3: An Unpredictable Ally (The "America First" Factor)
Both Japan and the European Union rely heavily on their alliance with the United States for their security.
However, the "America First" foreign policy of leaders like Donald Trump has created significant uncertainty about the future of America's commitment to its allies.
This unpredictability has given both Japan and Europe a powerful incentive to build their own, closer partnership. This serves two strategic purposes:
Plan A
Keeping America Engaged. By working together and taking on more responsibility for their own security, Japan and Europe can lighten the burden on the United States, making it easier and more appealing for Washington to remain an active global partner.
Plan B
Preparing for the Future. The partnership also functions as a form of strategic insurance, building the capacity for Japan and Europe to act together in preparation for a potential "post-American era."
To become more effective partners for each other, however, Japan had to make significant changes to its own long-standing defense policies.
3. A "Normal" Nation
How Japan's Own Security Policy is Changing
For decades after World War II, Japan’s security role was severely limited by its "pacifist constitution," which was promulgated in 1946 and enacted in 1947.
The most famous part of this constitution is Article 9, which states that the Japanese people "forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation."
This shaped Japan's identity as a uniquely "peaceful nation" and placed strict limits on what its military, the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), could do, especially overseas.
A historic shift occurred in 2014, when the Japanese cabinet approved a reinterpretation of the constitution. This new interpretation now allows for a limited exercise of "collective self-defense," a crucial change that has unlocked new possibilities for international cooperation.
So, what exactly is this crucial concept?
It is the right of a country to use force to defend a close partner nation, even if it has not been directly attacked itself. For decades, Japan's government said this was unconstitutional.
The new interpretation allows Japan to use force if an attack on a partner "threatens Japan’s survival and poses a clear danger" to its people.
This reinterpretation was a vital step. It provides the legal foundation that enables Japan to engage in more complex and meaningful military cooperation with partners like the EU and its member states.
4. More Than Just Talk
What the Partnership Looks Like in Practice
The Japan-EU partnership has moved far beyond declarations and joint statements. It is now defined by concrete actions and ambitious, long-term projects.
Joint Military Exercises
- What it is: Coordinated training operations between the armed forces of Japan and European nations. Recent examples include the "Atlantic Eagles" mission, where Japanese F-15s trained with European air forces for the first time, and the UK's Carrier Strike Group (CSG 21) conducting war games with the Japanese Navy in 2021.
- Why it matters: These exercises build trust and improve interoperability—the ability for different military forces to work together effectively on the ground and in the air. This cooperation is set to continue, with the UK's other aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, scheduled to visit Japan during a 2025 deployment.
The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA)
- What it is: A legally binding treaty that simplifies logistics and legal procedures, making it much easier for two countries' militaries to visit, train, and operate in each other's territory. Japan and the UK signed their RAA in January 2023.
- Why it matters: This agreement signals a uniquely close defense relationship. The UK is the first European country and only the third country overall (after Australia) to have such a pact with Japan.
Developing a Next-Generation Fighter Jet (GCAP)
- What it is: A joint program between Japan, the UK, and Italy to design and build a new stealth fighter, set to be operational by 2035.
- Why it matters: Co-developing a frontline weapons system signifies the deepest level of trust, integrating entire industries and committing the partners to a multi-decade technological and security relationship.
A Formal Security Partnership
- What it is: An official framework announced in November 2024 for regular dialogue and cooperation across a wide range of security issues, cementing the relationship at an institutional level.
- Why it matters: It is the first partnership of its kind for the EU with an Indo-Pacific country, creating a formal structure to tackle shared challenges in areas like maritime security, cyber threats, and space defense.
Taken together, these initiatives represent a multi-layered strategy: building practical military interoperability (exercises), creating legal frameworks for deployment (RAA), committing to a shared technological future (GCAP), and institutionalizing the political relationship (formal partnership).
These drivers and actions signal a profound shift, but it is important to understand the goals and the remaining limits of this new partnership.
5. Conclusion
What to Expect Next
The security partnership between Japan and the European Union is one of the most significant new developments in global geopolitics. For a curious learner, the most important takeaways are:
From Rivals to Partners
The shared threats posed by Russia and China have erased geographic distance, turning former economic competitors into essential security partners.
A Foundation of Trust
This isn't just a partnership of convenience; it's rooted in a shared belief in democracy and the rule of law, creating the trust needed for sensitive military cooperation.
Beyond Words to Weapons
This partnership is now concrete, proven by joint military exercises, legally binding treaties, and the ambitious goal of building a future fighter jet together.
It is also important to recognize the partnership's limitations. Japan's constitution, even with its new interpretation, still places constraints on its military's actions.
Furthermore, for both Japan and the EU, the alliance with the United States remains the cornerstone of their national security.
Looking ahead, we should expect to see this partnership continue to grow. Watch for more frequent joint naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific and even deeper collaboration on developing the defense technology that both partners will need to navigate an increasingly uncertain world.
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