EU-Japan and South-East Asia Follow-up Committee

The EESC is part of the overall EU-Japan relationship and contributes by addressing issues related to the role of civil society and by promoting socio-economic dialogue and participatory democracy. The Japan Follow-up Committee was set up to carry out this work and maintain relations with civil society in Japan. As there is no Japanese institutional equivalent of the EESC, the EESC's partners in Japan comprise social partners, other socio-economic stakeholders, environmental, social and youth organisations, Japanese universities, academic institutes and others.

As from the 2023-2025 term of office, the remit of the Follow-up Committee has been extended to also cover South East Asia. The Follow-up Committee will identify EU key interests in the South East Asia region. This will include following the state-of-play of ongoing trade negotiations with ASEAN countries, and mapping civil society organisations in this region. However, the main focus of the Follow-up Committee will remain Japan. On a regular basis, missions to Japan and seminars are organised, alternately in Brussels and in Japan.