On 8 and 9 February, European Union Ambassador to Japan Jean-Eric Paquet, together with 19 EU Member State Ambassadors, visited the city of Kumamoto in southwestern Japan for a series of meetings with local stakeholders on issues including security and economic security. 
At a press conference opening the visit, EU Ambassador Paquet stressed how Europe was keen to further develop its ties with Japan at the regional level, notably in such areas as security cooperation and boosting the resilience of supply chains in critical goods and materials.
In line with this, the group visited the headquarters of Tokyo Electron Kyushu Ltd. for an exchange with senior officials on the semiconductor industry and its links to Kumamoto and the wider Kyushu regions. This was followed by a visit to Camp Kengun of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army for discussions on the potential for further expansion of defence-related cooperation and exchanges between the EU and Japan.

The two-day visit concluded with a tour of Kumamoto Castle, a symbol of the city as well as the continued dedication of officials and citizens to rebuild after the series of powerful earthquakes that hit the prefecture in 2016. Ambassadors noted that this was a beacon of hope for those impacted by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake that struck central Japan on New Year’s Day.

Source: Delegation of the European Union to Japan

 
Picture ©European Union