On behalf of the European Business Council in Japan (EBC), I would like to express my gratitude to The Japan Times for this opportunity to address its readers on Europe Day, which marks the 68th anniversary of the signing of the Schuman Declaration on May 9, 1950, a date regarded as the starting point of European integration.

2017 was a milestone year for further integration of EU-Japan relations. After more than four years of intensive discussions, the leaders of Japan and the European Union were able to announce in December that they had reached the conclusion of negotiations on an economic partnership agreement (EPA). The two sides confirmed that the EPA would boost mutual trade by improving market access for goods, services and investment; open up opportunities in public procurement markets; remove non-tariff barriers; and protect geographical indications and intellectual property rights.

2018 should prove to be even more exciting with the prospect of the leaders of Japan and the EU signing the agreement in July, paving the way for its entry into force in early 2019.