The European Union and Japan successfully concluded negotiations on Japan’s association with the Horizon Europe programme in December 2025. Japan thus became the 23rd associated country, enabling its researchers to lead collaborative projects and receive direct funding from the programme.

The formal association agreement, which focuses on Pillar II of Horizon Europe (Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness), is expected to be officially signed in 2026. This association marks a major milestone in EU–Japan scientific cooperation and will further strengthen research and innovation partnerships between Japanese and European institutions.

The EU Delegation in Tokyo acknowledges the efforts being made in recent years at Okayama University to enhance existing collaboration with partners in EU as well as establish new links under various schemes offered by the Framework Programme. Okayama University was kindly requested to provide communication materials including a press release to be issued at the time of the signing. The communication will feature a number of testimonials that will highlight the benefits of collaboration under Horizon Europe and, where appropriate, the importance of Japan’s association to the Programme. Okayama University edited a Team-Testimonial