The EU and Japan recently held their third Digital Partnership Council in Tokyo, strengthening technology and digital cooperation between the two countries.
In the face of current global geopolitical uncertainty, the EU and Japan have reaffirmed the growing importance of their technology and digital partnerships.
The council was co-chaired by Hena Wilkunen, vice-chairman of technology sovereignty, security and democracy, along with Minister of Digital Transtransling, Minister of Home Affairs and Communications State, Minister of Western Affairs and Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
At the council, they recognized the need to increase competitiveness and promote a value-driven approach to global digital governance.
Based on the successful implementation of digital partnerships, they reviewed the progress made since the 2nd Digital Partnership Council in 2024.
Strengthening cooperation in critical digital and technical fields
Overall, the Council aims to strengthen its country’s economic security by promoting the resilience of critical digital technologies.
The EU and Japan have agreed to further cooperate with core digital technologies such as AI, 5G and 6G, semiconductors, high-performance computing and quantum technology.
It also strengthens collaborations on data governance and online platforms, submarine cables, Arctic connections, digital identity, trust services and cybersecurity.
Some of the key outcomes of the Council meeting include:
Semiconductors: Strengthen efforts to ensure semiconductor supply chain resilience through information exchange and early warning mechanisms. Quantum Computing and AI: They reiterated their commitment to promoting innovative, safe, safe and reliable AI, including the Hiroshima AI process. Digital Identity and Trust Services: The EU and Japan are committed to achieving interoperability and mutual recognition of academic qualifications through digital identity and trust services and building on a memorandum of cooperation. Data Governance: Partners have begun work on establishing possible joint working groups to improve data sharing and facilitate data space interoperability. Cybersecurity: Through the sixth EU-Dapan Cyber Dialogue, both partners exchanged information on regulatory development, particularly critical infrastructure protection and product security.
Implementing the next step
On May 13th, President Wiess, President Wilkunen and Japan Minister of Science and Technology Policy, Minor Kuichi, signed a letter of intent on quantum technology.
This will strengthen cooperation in digital and technical fields such as quantum science and technology, addressing global challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, materials science, cybersecurity and energy sustainability.
The fourth Digital Partnership Council is planned in Brussels in 2026.
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