The bloc began engaging with Japan over a potential membership in 2024.

Japan has officially joined Horizon Europe, the European Union’s €93.5bn flagship research and innovation programme.

The agreement allows Japanese researchers and organisations to tap EU funding and take part in Horizon Europe on equal footing with the bloc’s member states and the programme’s 22 other associated countries, including the UK, Ukraine, Canada and Israel.

With more than €90bn allocated for a period of six years between 2021 and 2027, Horizon Europe supports cutting-edge research to address global challenges such as the climate crisis, help achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and improve the bloc’s competitiveness and growth.

Japan’s association covers the third pillar of the programme, which has a budget of €52.4bn. This pillar, according to the EU, funds multinational research and innovation projects that addresses challenges related to climate, energy, health and the digital economy.

For example, earlier this month, an international team of researchers, funded by the programme, set off on an expedition to track chemical and biological changes in the North Atlantic ocean.

Japan will also contribute financially to Horizon Europe’s budget, the EU said, by covering for the Japanese organisations participating in the programme. Transitional arrangements that started in January this year has already enabled organisations from the country to apply for funding calls, it added.

The bloc has collaborated with the Asian country a number of times outside the programme. In early 2023, the two strengthened their bond in space research by agreeing to share Earth observation data, and jointly launched an enhanced dialogue on advanced materials a year later.

Japan takes the title for the most populous country associated with the programme, with a population of 123m. The bloc began engaging with the country over a potential membership in 2024 and concluded negotiations a year later, it said.

“As Horizon Europe’s 23rd associated country, Japan strengthens a growing global community that believes openness, excellence and international cooperation are essential to turning research into innovation and innovation into prosperity,” said Ekaterina Zaharieva, the EU commissioner for start-ups, research and innovation.

“Science thrives when talent, ideas and innovation cross borders,” she added.

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