Brussels: Japan and the European Union held their inaugural defense industry dialogue aimed at reinforcing cooperation in the defense sector. Amid an increasingly severe global security environment, Japan and the EU are focusing on strengthening supply chains for defense equipment while reducing reliance on the United States.

According to Philippines News Agency, the dialogue took place at the EU headquarters in Brussels and brought together over 30 Japanese companies and organizations, including Subaru Corp., Hitachi Ltd., and NEC Corp. Meanwhile, 20 European firms participated, such as Thales from France, Leonardo SpA from Italy, and Saab from Sweden. This gathering also included startups with dual-use technologies seeking new business opportunities.

During the dialogue, Andrius Kubilius, a European Commission commissioner for defense and space, noted that Japan is "a true like-minded partner" for the EU, highlighting the significance of cooperation in defense and economic security. Furthermore, Toshiro Ino, Japanese state minister of economy, trade, and industry, expressed his hope that the dialogue would serve as a "platform" for partnership between Japan and the EU, particularly between their private sectors, paving the way for future cooperation projects.