The EU and Japan are furthering their cooperation after the entry into force of their economic and strategic partnership agreements. Deeper cooperation may ensue on the basis of the Osaka G20 outlines encompassing areas such as innovation and quality infrastructure, both of which foster economic growth while helping to achieve societies and development that are both inclusive and sustainable. A step forwards has been the signing of a Partnership on Sustainable Connectivity and Quality Infrastructure between the EU and Japan on 27 September 2019. In this respect, Japan and the EU could meet global demand and promote a sustainable model of infrastructure governance.

In addition, the commitment of both partners to individual rights and freedoms plus their technological leadership provide the opportunity to contribute to regional and international data regulation and to embody the concept of Data Free Flow with Trust, embracing its economic potential while addressing data privacy and security challenges. Leveraging on digitalisation and infrastructure development would ensure domestic welfare while contributing to the resilience of the international liberal order.

All these issues were discussed in this public seminar, underlining the added value that EU-Japanese cooperation on data economy and sustainable connectivity may have not only for the two players but also for other international stakeholders.

Participants: Emilio Lamo de Espinosa, Chairman, Elcano Royal Institute; Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan in Spain; Ken Endo, Hokkaido University; Ana Gascón, Assistant Professor, University of Zaragoza; Andrés Ortega, Senior Research Fellow, Elcano Royal Institute; Maaike Okano-Heijmans, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute; Makoto Yokozawa, Professor, Kyoto University; Christoph Steck, Director Public Policy and Internet, Telefónica; Ana María Goy Yamamoto, Assistant Professor, Autonomous University of Madrid; Mario Esteban, Senior Analyst, Elcano Royal Institute; Marie Södeberg, Director, European Institute of Japanese Studies; Reiko Abe, President, Oriental Consultants; Agustín Saenz, VP Markets, Tecnalia.

Note: the event was held in English without simultaneous translation.

Thursday, 20 February 2020, 9:30h – 13:45h. Asociación de la prensa de Madrid, Calle de Claudio Coello, 98, Madrid, España.

Selected publications:

The EU-Japan connectivity partnership: a sustainable initiative awaiting materialisation. Mario Esteban & Ugo Armanini.
Society 5.0: EU-Japanese cooperation and the opportunities and challenges posed by the data economy. Ana Gascón Marcén.
EU-Japan EPA and SPA: more than a partnership, a necessary turning point for both. Ana María Goy Yamamoto.
Tokyo’s ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’: quality infrastructure and defence to the fore. Axel Berkofsky.