Ordinary meetings

The meeting took place on Monday 30th November. H.E MASAKI, Mission of Japan to the EU listed the many positive impacts the EPA has already had in the first 1,5 years of implementation on the bilateral trade despite the COVID environment. Besides the implementation of the two agreements and the EU-Japan Partnership on Connectivity and Quality Infrastructure, he considered other main priorities of climate change, digital transformation, security and cooperation on public health. He stressed that we share the values of democracy, rule of law and promote free trade. Vice President Ewa Kopacz, EP Coordinator on children's rights spoke on Parental child abductions in Japan from mixed European-Japanese families in Japan. The VP reminded that the UN Convention states that parties should support the children's rights and their best interest. The child has the right not to miss the cultural and linguistic richness of both parents. The next meeting will be held in 2021.

The delegation meeting took place in Strasbourg on Wednesday 15 January from 16.00-17.45, in room LOW S4.5A. A debriefing by Mr Tonnie De Koster, Adviser for Digital Single Market International Outreach, European Commission, was given following the 9th EU-Japan Digital Strategies Workshop which was held in Tokyo on 11 December 2019.

Considering the latest situation of the spread of COVID-19 and the decisions taken in the Parliament, under the extra-ordinary circumstances the Acting Chair has decided to cancel the Japan delegation meeting of Wednesday 11 March 2020 from 16.15 to 17.45 in Brussels.

Members will be duly notified later on, when a new date has been established for the next meeting.

This will be held in Brussels on THURSDAY 14 November from 14.00-15.30 in room PHS 6B54. The EEAS and DG TRADE will update the Members on issues pertaining to the incoming IPM on the 27 November 2019.The meeting will be held "in camera"

The first ordinary meeting of the delegation for relations with Japan took place in Strasbourg on Wednesday 23 October.Ambassador Kazuo Kodama, Mission of Japan to the EU, gave a very informative presentation on the "Reflections on the development of Japan -EU relations". This was well received by Members, who then held a Q&A session with His Excellency.

At its constituent meeting on 26th September 2019, the Delegation for relations with Japan elected the following:

• Ms Neena GILL (S&D, UK) as Chair, Ms Christel SCHALDEMOSE (S&D, DK) as 1st Vice-Chair with the election for the 2nd Vice Chair postponed.