{"id":26911,"date":"2026-05-22T07:02:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T07:02:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/26911\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T07:02:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T07:02:15","slug":"japan-and-the-eu-hold-first-defence-industry-dialogue-pledge-dual-use-collaboration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/26911\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan and the EU Hold First Defence Industry Dialogue, Pledge Dual-Use Collaboration"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"260522-nsbt1-01\"<\/a>Officials from the EU and Japanese government and industrial representatives from the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) and the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies (SJAC) at the inaugural EU-Japan Defence Industry Dialogue, April 17, 2026. (European Commission)<\/p>\n

On April 17, Japan and the European Union (EU) held in Brussels the first meeting of the Defence Industry Dialogue, issuing a joint statement that included a commitment to enhancing defense industrial and dual-use technology cooperation.<\/p>\n

A private-sector led initiative, the dialogue is co-organized by the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) and the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies (SJAC), which both together represent thousands of companies.[1]<\/p>\n

The Defence Industry Dialogue\u2019s inaugural meeting was also attended by Japanese and EU officials, including the European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and Japan\u2019s State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Toshiro Ino.<\/p>\n

The dialogue was launched under the EU-Japan Competitiveness Alliance established at the EU-Japan Summit in July 2025, and forms part of the EU<\/a>-Japan<\/a> Security and Defence Partnership<\/a> announced in November 2024.<\/p>\n

The EU-Japan Defence Industry Dialogue is envisaged as a platform to deepen mutual understanding of key industry challenges, explore opportunities for cooperation, and foster networking among member companies of ASD and SJAC.[2]<\/p>\n

To this end, a joint statement[3] released following the conclusion of the dialogue\u2019s first meeting highlights the \u201cenvisaged\u201d signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation to strengthen defense sector collaboration by the two industrial groups.<\/p>\n

Japan\u2019s Defence Industry Dialogue with the EU coincided with talks between Japan\u2019s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and NATO aimed at strengthening industrial cooperation with the transatlantic alliance,[4] and came just ahead of the Sanae Takaichi government\u2019s April 21 decision to ease key restrictions<\/a> on the export of lethal weapons.<\/p>\n

Japan\u2019s efforts to deepen cooperation with Europe also come as the government designates aerospace as a strategic sector for economic growth and seeks to promote dual-use technologies as a key part of meeting national security requirements<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Private-Sector Participation in the EU-Japan Dialogue<\/p>\n

Around 20 European companies, including Saab, Thales, and Leonardo, attended the April 17 dialogue. They were joined by around 30 companies and organizations on the Japanese side which included major established primes such as Subaru, Hitachi, and NEC.[5]<\/p>\n

Japanese startups with dual-use technologies also took part in the dialogue. One confirmed participant is SpaceData, a developer of AI-powered digital twin systems for space and terrestrial environments that also recently pitched its technologies to NATO officials<\/a>.[6]<\/p>\n

A notable participant on the Japanese side who was scheduled to attend was Kimito Nakae, President of Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co., Ltd. (JAIEC).[7]<\/p>\n

JAIEC is currently coordinating Japan\u2019s private-sector participation in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with Italy and the United Kingdom and aims to generate spillover effects that benefit Japan\u2019s civilian aviation sector<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This \u201cdual-use\u201d objective aligns closely with the broader strategic priorities of JAIEC\u2019s majority shareholder and co-host of the EU-Japan Defence Industry Dialogue, the SJAC.[8]<\/p>\n

SJAC Strategy and Collaboration with Europe\u2019s ASD<\/p>\n

In February 2024, SJAC issued a report emphasizing the growing importance of the dual-use sector as well as civilian technologies that can be spun into defense applications.<\/p>\n

Japan\u2019s aerospace industry group observed how these technologies can serve as a source of national bargaining power and the need for a long-term strategy for maintaining international competitiveness in aircraft technologies.[9]<\/p>\n

SJAC\u2019s report also highlighted how Europe\u2019s ASD (co-host of this month\u2019s EU\u2013Japan Defence Industry Dialogue) acts as a key standard-setter for the aerospace sector, noting how the European group worked with the United States\u2019 Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) to develop the \u201cS-Series\u201d set of standards for lifecycle and product support.[10]<\/p>\n

A few months later, in July 2024, SJAC secured representation on key S-Series committees and working groups through an agreement with ASD and AIA. This move marks a shift toward active agenda-setting, with SJAC working with ASD to shape lifecycle and product support standards.[11]<\/p>\n

This growing collaboration by Japanese and European defence and aerospace industries, culminating in the Defence Industry Dialogue held on April 17, has in recent years been accompanied by parallel efforts at the official EU and Japanese government level.<\/p>\n

EU-Japan Political Convergence<\/p>\n

This month\u2019s private sector-led dialogue stems from a political agreement made at last year\u2019s EU\u2013Japan Summit in July 2025. The accord committed to strengthening defense industrial cooperation and establishing the EU\u2013Japan Competitive Alliance which then called for private industry to launch the EU\u2013Japan Defence Industry Dialogue.[12]<\/p>\n

These commitments built on the EU<\/a>-Japan<\/a> Security and Defence Partnership<\/a> agreed in November 2024, which called for \u201cpossible mutual involvement in respective defence initiatives.\u201d[13] That summer, reports also indicated that the EU was interested in exploring joint funding with the Japanese government to support defense projects involving Japanese and European companies.[14]<\/p>\n

Momentum continued in June 2025, when EU and Japanese officials held their first Security and Defence Dialogue, where they exchanged views on defence industrial policies and agreeed to cooperate on space security, among other areas.[15]<\/p>\n

By December 2025, reports suggested that the Japanese government was looking to facilitate joint R&D and drone production with European companies through participation in SAFE (Security Action for Europe), the EU\u2019s \u20ac150 billion joint defense procurement and financing mechanism established in May 2025.[16]<\/p>\n

Japan\u2019s interest in dual-use collaboration has since extended to individual EU member states. In February 2026, a delegation of senior Japanese officials and business executives visited Finland, Sweden, and Germany to facilitate partnerships between Japanese and European firms, marking the first such initiative to explicitly focus on the dual-use sector.[17]<\/p>\n

Thus, expanding political engagement between the EU and Japan, alongside private-sector alignment, over the past two years resulted in the launch of this month\u2019s EU-Japan Defence Industry Dialogue.<\/p>\n

Conclusions<\/p>\n

Commitments made at this month\u2019s inaugural EU-Japan Defence Industry Dialogue to promote dual-use technologies are an important step toward concrete initiatives. These are likely to form part of the prospective SJAC-ASD Memorandum of Cooperation highlighted in the dialogue\u2019s joint statement.<\/p>\n

Based on recent SJAC-ASD partnership developments, it is likely that the memorandum will focus on jointly setting standards for emerging aerospace technologies relevant to both groups, including dual-use technologies like UAVs and space satellites. Joint engagement by both groups to support matchmaking for association members is also likely.<\/p>\n

If such cooperation is realized, it could help accelerate alignment between Japanese and European aerospace sectors and create more opportunities for Japanese startups with promising dual-use technologies to collaborate with European industry partners.<\/p>\n

One example of how this cooperation is already emerging is the strategic agreement signed this February by Synspective Inc., a Japanese developer of small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, with European prime Airbus Defence and Space to integrate the Japanese company\u2019s capabilities into Airbus\u2019 global earth observation portfolio.[18]<\/p>\n

Concrete dual-use initiatives led by SJAC and ASD could further accelerate this growing alignment between Japanese and European private-sectors and enable greater opportunities for a broader range of Japanese startups to collaborate with European companies in the aerospace sector.<\/p>\n

Notes:<\/p>\n

[1] European Commission, \u201cEU-Japan Defence Industry Dialogue\u201d, April 17, 2026, https:\/\/defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu\/eu-japan-defence-industry-dialogue-2026-04-17_en<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[2] ASD, \u201cASD and SJAC hold first EU-Japan Defence Industry Dialogue\u201d, April 17, 2026, https:\/\/www.asd-europe.org\/news-media\/news-events\/news\/asd-and-sjac-hold-first-eu-japan-defence-industry-dialogue\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[3] Joint Press Statement, 17 April 2026: EU-Japan Defence Industry Dialogue, https:\/\/www.meti.go.jp\/policy\/mono_info_service\/mono\/aerospace\/jointstatemntdid.pdf<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[4] Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, \u201c\u8d64\u6fa4\u7d4c\u6e08\u7523\u696d\u5927\u81e3\u304cNATO\uff08\u5317\u5927\u897f\u6d0b\u6761\u7d04\u6a5f\u69cb\uff09\u5e38\u99d0\u5927\u4f7f\u56e3\u3068\u4f1a\u8ac7\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u201d [Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa met with the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Permanent Representative delegation], April 17, 2026, https:\/\/www.meti.go.jp\/press\/2026\/04\/20260417002\/20260417002.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[5] Nippon.com, \u201cJapan, EU Hold 1st Defense Industry Dialogue\u201d, April 18, 2026, https:\/\/www.nippon.com\/en\/news\/yjj2026041701104\/japan-eu-hold-1st-defense-industry-dialogue.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[6] SpaceData Inc., \u201c\u30b9\u30da\u30fc\u30b9\u30c7\u30fc\u30bf\u3001\u65e5EU\u521d\u306e\u300c\u9632\u885b\u7523\u696d\u5bfe\u8a71\u300d\u306b\u53c2\u52a0\u201d [SpaceData participates in the first ever Japan-EU \u201cDefence Industry Dialogue\u201d]. PR Times, April 23, 2026, https:\/\/prtimes.jp\/main\/html\/rd\/p\/000000132.000080352.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[7] Nikkei Shimbun, \u201c\u65e5EU\u306e\u9632\u885b\u7523\u696d\u5354\u529b\u3001\u4ecf\u30bf\u30ec\u30b9\u306a\u3069\u5927\u624b\u53c2\u52a0\u201d [Japan-EU defense industry cooperation: Major players including France\u2019s Thales to participate], April 15, 2026, https:\/\/www.nikkei.com\/article\/DGKKZO95668570V10C26A4MM0000\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[8] Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., \u201c\u201dJapan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd.\u201d to Start Operations\u201d, July 10, 2024, https:\/\/www.mhi.com\/news\/240710.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[9] SJAC, \u201c\u4ee4\u548c 6 \u5e74\u7248 \u65e5\u672c\u306e\u822a\u7a7a\u5b87\u5b99\u5de5\u696d\u201d [Japan\u2019s Aerospace Industry, 2024 Edition], February 2024, p.12, https:\/\/www.sjac.or.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/nihon_R06.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

[10] Ibid, p.89.<\/p>\n

[11] ASD, \u201cAerospace cooperation boosted by new agreements on S1000D and S-Series specifications, July 23, 2024, \u201dhttps:\/\/www.asd-europe.org\/news-media\/news-events\/news\/aerospace-cooperation-boosted-by-new-agreements-on-s1000d-and-s-series-specifications\/<\/a><\/p>\n

[12] Japan-EU Summit 2025 Joint Statement, https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/mofaj\/files\/100878537.pdf<\/a>; Japan-EU Competitiveness Alliance, https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/mofaj\/files\/100878542.pdf<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[13] Security and Defence Partnership between the European Union and Japan, November 1, 2024, https:\/\/www.eeas.europa.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2024\/EU-Japan%20Security%20and%20Defence%20Partnership.pdf<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[14] Reuters, \u201cEU seeks defence industry partnerships with Japan, South Korea, says Nikkei\u201d, June 23, 2024, https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/eu-seeks-defence-industry-partnerships-with-japan-south-korea-says-nikkei-2024-06-23\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[15] European Union External Action Service, \u201cEU-Japan: First Security and Defence Dialogue at Managing Director \/ Director General Level takes place in Brussels\u201d, June 12, 2025, https:\/\/www.eeas.europa.eu\/eeas\/eu-japan-first-security-and-defence-dialogue-managing-director-director-general-level-takes-place_en<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[16] Nikkei Shimbun, \u201c\u65e5\u672c\u3068EU\u3001\u9632\u885b\u54c1\u3092\u5171\u540c\u958b\u767a\u3000\u878d\u8cc7\u67a0\u7d44\u307f\u3078\u306e\u53c2\u753b\u691c\u8a0e\u201d [Japan considers participation in EU financing framework forto joint development of defense equipment], December 30, 2025, https:\/\/www.nikkei.com\/article\/DGXZQOGR24AT10U5A221C2000000\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[17] Hironari Akiyama, \u201cJapan\u2019s Public, Private Sectors Plan to Sell Dual-Use Products to Nordic Countries as Delegation Touring Europe\u201d. The Japan News, February 3, 2026, https:\/\/japannews.yomiuri.co.jp\/politics\/defense-security\/20260203-308592\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[18] Synspective Inc., \u201cSynspective and Airbus Defence and Space Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand SAR Satellite Data Access\u201d, February 10, 2026, https:\/\/synspective.com\/press-release\/2026\/airbus_partnership\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article was originally posted on\u00a0NSBT Japan<\/a>,\u00a0the first defense and security industry network in Japan. The publication provides the latest information on security business trends both within Japan and overseas. Asian Military Review began exchanging articles with NSBT Japan in April 2024.<\/p>\n

Read the original article\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Officials from the EU and Japanese government and industrial representatives from the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":26912,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[21298,21299,1958,17858,21300,8,21301,21302,1474,33,21303,21304,21305,21306],"class_list":["post-26911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-japan","tag-aia","tag-asd","tag-eu","tag-gcap","tag-jaiec","tag-japan","tag-japanese-defence","tag-leonardo","tag-nato","tag-nihon","tag-saab","tag-sjac","tag-spacedata","tag-thales"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26911"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26911\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}