How Japan and Europe can unite to steer world away from disorder

'G6' must work with other democracies to preserve peace and free trade

From left: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, European leaders at a summit in London in March and U.S. President Donald Trump. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)

HIROYUKI AKITA

April 13, 2025 16:36 JST

TOKYO -- Japan and Europe share a strong partnership across various fields, with growing cooperation in trade, cybersecurity and maritime law enforcement. However, this relationship has often resembled that of "distant friends" rather than close allies. For both sides, their ties with the U.S. have always been a priority, leaving Japan-Europe relations in second place.