Anna Elżbieta Fotyga (ECR), in writing. – I cordially welcome the EU-Japan trade deal, which represents a robust instrument and a significant enabler for deepening long—term, strategic cooperation between the EU and Japan. The arrangement underlines the continued relevance of rules—based and open international trade. Throughout the SEDE mission to Japan last year, I had an opportunity to meet with representatives of the Japanese parliament (Diet), government, think—tanks and defence industry. We discussed the future of EU—Japan cooperation, Japan’s contribution to EU missions and operations as well as Japan’s ongoing security and defence reforms, North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and the tensions in the South and East China Seas. The EU and Japan share core interests in a broad variety of regional and global economic and security matters. These interests entail addressing barriers to free trade and security challenges through soft mechanisms, close cooperation and enduring friendship.