A yen for deeper relations

"Japan is a natural strategic partner for Europe," External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said at a recent symposium on EU-Japan relations.

Such remarks, peppered with talk of 'shared values' and 'common interests', have become axiomatic in policymaking circles.

But analysts and politicians agree that these shared values have not yet been translated into a substantial political relationship.

So Ferrero-Waldner asked delegates: "What more can we do to promote our joint interests and concretely strengthen our partnership?"

At the 15th EU-Japan summit in Tokyo on Monday (24 April), some of the possible responses to that question will be discussed.

After decades of focusing on economic and trade issues, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and European Commission President Jos�anuel Barroso will discuss how to deepen political ties.

A report into possible next steps will be presented and while measures are not expected immediately, both sides are expressing a political willingness to shake things up.

"Fifteen years ago it was very much a relationship of confrontation; trade disputes and anti-dumping measures," said one Commission official, "now we have very good co-operation...We are looking to take it to the next level."

Political interest has not always been so evident.

Such remarks, peppered with talk of 'shared values' and 'common interests', have become axiomatic in policymaking circles.

But analysts and politicians agree that these shared values have not yet been translated into a substantial political relationship.

So Ferrero-Waldner asked delegates: "What more can we do to promote our joint interests and concretely strengthen our partnership?"

At the 15th EU-Japan summit in Tokyo on Monday (24 April), some of the possible responses to that question will be discussed.

After decades of focusing on economic and trade issues, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and European Commission President Jos�anuel Barroso will discuss how to deepen political ties.

A report into possible next steps will be presented and while measures are not expected immediately, both sides are expressing a political willingness to shake things up.

"Fifteen years ago it was very much a relationship of confrontation; trade disputes and anti-dumping measures," said one Commission official, "now we have very good co-operation...We are looking to take it to the next level."

Political interest has not always been so evident.

"There is a view that the EU-Japan side of the US-EU-Japan triangle has received the least attention," said John Swenson-Wright, an expert on Japan at the London-based think-tank Chatham House.

But he said the shifting geo-political balance in east Asia might provide ample opportunities for deepening ties.

According to Swenson-Wright, Japan's regained willingness to pursue its interests abroad and the 'peaceful ascendancy' of neighbouring China are two factors spurring closer ties with the EU.

According to one Japanese businessman with close ties to Koizumi's government, China's rise and Europe's response to it have made for difficult viewing in Tokyo.

While Japanese officials express dismay at the EU's willingness to call China a strategic partner, despite little movement towards democratisation or a more constructive approach to Taiwan or North Korea, things are changing.

After initial horror at the EU's readiness to lift its arms embargo against China, Japan has launched something of a charm offensive in Brussels.

"They [the Japanese] seem to realise that they have to be seen to be putting their point of view across," said David Fouquet, director of the Asia-Europe Project.

The emergence of a political elite in Japan, embodied by Koizumi, that is not restricted by the legacy of the war, has prompted a more active Japanese foreign policy, something which analysts say is equally important.

Reforms are soon expected that will make the deployment of Japan's nascent army, the 250,000-strong Self-Defence Force, less problematic.

EU diplomats working in areas that before would have scarcely seen a reference to Japan, such as the peace process in the Middle East or Iran, are now discussing what possibilities exist for co-operation.

"They could be very useful partners in central Asia," said one diplomat working on Eurasia.

The summit's joint declaration could contain a reference to joint values in promoting democracy in eastern Europe.

Japan's changing links with the US have also played their part.

According to Swenson-Wright, the security guarantee that the US has provided since the end of the Second World War has meant that Japan's strategic interests often lay with the US.

Despite disagreements on military burden-sharing in east Asia, the US is likely to remain a crucial relationship for the foreseeable future. "The highest priority is their relationship with the US," said Fouquet.

But American influence is slipping and Japan is looking for other allies. Where interests converge there is hope in Brussels that a more assertive Japan could be a useful partner.

Officials cite the World Trade Organization's Doha Round of trade talks as one example.

"On Doha, Japanese and EU interests are very, very similar, yet the Japanese tend to be the silent partner," said the Commission official.

The economic agenda remains important. But, with the EU pressing for a revision of the air services agreement governing civil aviation and changes to rules on foreign investment, officials no longer speak about Japan simply in terms of trade.

The days of Charles de Gaulle referring to the Japanese Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda as "that transistor salesman" appear to have passed.

Major analysis feature on the European Union's relations with Japan ahead of the 15th EU-Japan summit in Tokyo, 24 April 2006.

• Primary Source

EEAS: Countries: Japan http://eeas.europa.eu/japan/index_en.htm

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