Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

As of Friday, Japan has officially joined the Horizon Europe program. With a population of 123 million, Japan is the most populous country to join the program, adding one of the world's most advanced research and innovation systems to the European scientific cooperation network. According to a statement released in Brussels, this agreement allows Japanese researchers and organizations to participate in Horizon Europe on an equal footing with their counterparts from EU member states and other associated countries. They will be able to join and lead international research consortia, access EU funding, and work alongside leading research institutions to contribute to addressing global challenges.

Research and Innovation Cooperation with Japan
Negotiations on Japan's accession between the European Commission and the Japanese government were successfully concluded in December 2025. Since January 2026, transitional arrangements have allowed Japanese entities to apply for and be assessed as potential beneficiaries of Horizon Europe's Pillar II calls for proposals.

Japan’s participation represents a significant step in the EU-Japan strategic partnership and underscores their shared commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and open, rules-based international research collaboration.

The EU and Japan will expand their cooperation to address shared global challenges, particularly in the areas of digital transformation, health, and technologies that support climate neutrality.

Japan’s participation in Horizon Europe covers Pillar 2, with a budget of €52.4 billion. This pillar funds multinational research and innovation projects addressing major societal challenges related to climate, energy, health, and the digital economy. Japan will also contribute financially to the program’s budget to cover the participation of Japanese entities.

Furthermore, Japanese participants will continue to have access to other parts of Horizon Europe that are open to other countries, including the Scientific Excellence pillar, the Innovative Europe pillar, and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Programme, which supports doctoral education, postdoctoral training, and international research collaboration. Horizon Europe, with a budget of €93.5 billion for 2021–2027, is the European Union’s flagship research and innovation program. It supports groundbreaking research and innovation to address global challenges, accelerate clean and digital transformations, contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and boost competitiveness and growth in Europe.

Japan has joined Horizon Europe, becoming its 23rd member state, joining the 22 other countries already participating through membership in the European Economic Area, the enlargement process, the European Neighbourhood Policy, or as other countries and territories that meet the program’s eligibility criteria.

Japan’s participation builds on a long-standing and increasingly important research and innovation partnership with the EU, which began in 2011 with the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation. A recent example of close EU-Japan collaboration is the recommendation made by the EU-Japan Joint Expert Committee within the framework of the Enhanced Dialogue on Advanced Materials. This recommendation explores the integration and synergy in the fields of electronics, mobility, construction, energy, and data-driven science, which could benefit citizens of both the European Union and Japan.