Cet avis d'initiative vise à examiner l'accord déjà en cours de négociation entre l'UE et le Japon (qui est le troisième partenaire commercial non européen de l'UE) et notamment ses conséquences économiques, sociales et environnementales. Cet accord ne traite pas uniquement du commerce mais aura également des conséquences attendues sur les sociétés, qui doivent être expliquées et prises en compte par les négociateurs. Le secteur automobile, ainsi que les secteurs des marchés publics, des services, des produits agricoles et pharmaceutiques sont entre autres concernés.
Download — Le rôle de la société civile dans les négociations et la mise en œuvre d'un accord de libre-échange (ALE) UE-Japon
The 10th meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA), will take place on 28 May 2026 at the EESC.
Building on the successful joint meeting held in December, this meeting will be organised together with the EU DAGs for Japan and Korea. The aim is to foster synergies, exchange best practices, and discuss cross-cutting issues relevant to all three DAGs.
Members of the three DAGs will exchange with the European Commission's DG TRADE on the state of play of the implementation of the respective TSD Chapters under the FTAs. Further discussions will include TSD in the digital economy, including AI governance and new forms of work, the implementation of ILO Conventions in Singapore, Korea and Japan, as well as the follow up of the Commission's Evaluation of the impact of EU's agreements on key environmental aspects, including the climate
During the meeting, the EU DAG will also exchange views on EU-Singapore relations and recent developments in Singapore, including their priorities, with Ambassador Heng Aik Yeow, Head of the Mission of the Republic of Singapore to the European Union.
Building on the successful meeting held in December, which gathered also the EU DAGs for Korea and Singapore, the format of the meeting will be the same this time. The aim is to foster synergies, exchange best practices, and discuss cross-cutting issues relevant to all three DAGs.
On 4 March, the EU Domestic Advisory Group for Japan participated in the 7th Joint Dialogue with civil society (JDCS) under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in Tokyo.
The JDCS centred on key pillars of trade and sustainable development, notably climate action, labour standards, and responsible business conduct. Participants discussed the green transition — including Japan's emission trading system GX-ETS, CBAM, carbon neutrality, and the EU-Japan Green Alliance — as well as sustainable forest management and deforestation-free supply chains. Exchanges on trade and labour addressed the implementation of ILO core conventions and recent developments related to forced labour. Finally, discussions covered responsible business conduct, due diligence requirements (including CSDDD implementation), and the need to strengthen capacity and cooperation in global supply chains.
Meet of the EU-Japan and South East Asia Follow-up Committee
Location
Brussels
Belgium
The EESC EU-Japan & South-East Asia Follow-up Committee meets on 12 February 2026 to discuss various aspects of EU-Japan & South-East Asia relations. Main topics on the programme:
Initial discussion on the priorities for the Follow-up Committee during the new term
EU relations with the Southeast Asian countries and follow-up on the EESC's information report on the situation of the civil society organisations in the ASEAN countries
The 13th meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), and the first meeting of the 2025–2028 term, took place on 16 December 2025 at the EESC.
The 31st meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the EU-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and the first meeting of the 2025–2028 term, took place on 16 December 2025 at the EESC.
The 9th meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and the first meeting of the 2025–2028 term, took place on 16 December 2025 at the EESC.
The 2025 EU–Japan Workshop explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the workplace and driving economic competitiveness. This hybrid event brought together EU and Japanese stakeholders to discuss AI’s role in transforming job roles, promoting innovation, and raising ethical and policy challenges. It also focused on how AI can support sustainable and inclusive growth in both regions.
