 From right to left: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and European Council President Antonio Costa attend a joint press briefing after their meeting at Prime Minister Office on July 23, 2025, in Tokyo Japan. (Photo: David Mareuil/REUTERS) |
The agreement followed the EU-Japan Summit 2025 in Tokyo, which was attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
According to a joint statement, the collaboration will strengthen and diversify “critical minerals supply chains,” including rare earth elements, nickel, cobalt, and batteries, which are indispensable for high-tech industries, defense, and renewable energy.
The statement mentioned the possibility of joint investments by European and Japanese companies to explore and exploit mineral resources in third countries. The EU and Japan will also collaborate on promoting and protecting critical and emerging technology, the physical and cyber security of critical infrastructure, as well as strengthening joint research on semiconductors, 6G, and artificial intelligence.