The EU and Japan recently held their third Digital Partnership Council in Tokyo to reinforce tech and digital cooperation between the two countries.
In the face of current global geopolitical uncertainties, the EU and Japan reaffirmed the growing importance of their tech and digital partnership.
The Council was co-chaired by Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, alongside Masaaki Taira, Minister for Digital Transformation, Masashi Adachi, State Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications and Shinji Takeuchi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
At the Council, they recognised the need to boost their competitiveness and promote a values-driven approach to global digital governance.
Building on the successful implementation of their Digital Partnership, they reviewed the advancements made since the second Digital Partnership Council in 2024.
Strengthening co-operation in crucial digital and tech areas
Overall, the Council aims to bolster the economic security of their countries by fostering resilience in critical digital technologies.
The EU and Japan agreed to further cooperate on core digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G and 6G, semiconductors, high-performance computing and quantum technology.
They will also strengthen their collaboration on data governance and online platforms, submarine cables, Arctic connectivity, digital identities, trust services, and cybersecurity.
Some of the key outcomes from the Council meeting included:
- Semiconductors: Enhancing efforts to ensure semiconductor supply chain resilience through information exchange and early warning mechanisms.
- Quantum computing and AI: They have reiterated their commitment to promoting innovative, safe, secure and trustworthy AI, including the Hiroshima AI process.
- Digital identities and trust services: The EU and Japan are working towards achieving interoperability and mutual recognition of academic credentials through digital identity and trust services, building on the Memorandum of Cooperation.
- Data governance: The partners have started work on establishing a possible joint working group to facilitate improved data sharing and interoperability of data spaces.
- Cybersecurity: Through their sixth EU-Japan Cyber Dialogue, both partners have exchanged information on regulatory developments, particularly regarding critical infrastructure protection and product security.
Implementing the next steps
On 13 May, Executive-Vice-President Virkkunen and Japanese Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy Minoru Kiuchi will sign a Letter of Intent on quantum technology.
This will enhance cooperation in digital and tech areas such as quantum science and technology, tackling global challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, material science, cybersecurity, and energy sustainability.
The fourth Digital Partnership Council is planned for 2026, in Brussels.
