Tokyo

 EU-Japan relations could be very much enhanced by 2020 if parallel Economic and Strategic Partnership Agreements (FTA/EPA and SPA) are concluded in 2015-16. In this seminar, “Minerva” Fellow Dr. César de Prado (European University Institute’s Global Governance Programme) will present a broad situation and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of the economic side of this little known but rapidly evolving bilateral relationship.  He will first focus on the strongest and weakest features of both the EU and Japan that may affect the FTA/EPA. The EU keeps liberalising and integrating its member economies and societies while struggles with multi-level politics. Japan’s Abenomics intends to lower corporate taxes, liberalise some sectors, promote FDI in selected areas, and incorporate more women and foreign skilled workers, but entrenched interests may dilute those plans. The EU and Japan jointly have some institutions but they may lack capacity to fulfil the broad range of new expectations.  Afterwards, he will focus on key external factors that may also help or derail the new EU-Japan economic partnership. In particular, what would be the impact of Transatlantic, Transpacific, Asian or global economic deals currently being negotiated?  Finally, Dr. de Prado would like to open a debate to stretch our strategic vision by considering critical uncertainties, and the potential impact of a substantial EU-Japan partnership on the global system.

Programme 10:30-11:30 Presentation by Dr. César de Prado, MINERVA Research Fellow, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation 11:30-12:00 Open Debate

EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation