Three experts in the field of international policy, Dr. Bruno Tertrais, Deputy Director of the Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS), Dr. Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Instituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), and Thorsten Benner, Director of the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) discuss the changing the shape of the of the world and the roles that Japan and the EU may play in the future.

During the Cold War era, Japan and the nations of Europe could typically depend on the US to defend their interests on the world stage. That time is past, however, and it is imperative that Japan and the EU work to achieve cooperation with nations like China on matters such as trade and public health, while also standing up for their own interests by ensuring their own security and taking a stand against unfair practices. To ensure an environment of shared values in which international behavior is government by the rule of law, a multilateral course of action must be maintained and reimagined by Japan and the EU together. This will have important implications for issues including achieving the goals set out by the United Nations, and meeting the challenge posed by climate change, without letting them become overwhelmed by the unilateral interests of either the US or China.