Just in: In her first major bilateral outreach to Asia, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will host a video conference with Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe tomorrow. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2020/05/26/?utm_source=dsms-auto&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EU-Japan+leaders%27+video+conference+meeting

With the US in retreat, and China non-committal on trade openness, EU turns to the world’s 3rd biggest economy to hammer out post-Covid19 economic recovery plans. As Borrell said earlier, working with “like-minded” Asia-Pacific partners also helps send a signal to China.

EU and Japan will “work closely together” on Covid-19 vaccines, EU official added. EU will preach focus on climate as part of economic recovery while engaging Japan.

Core a values like democracy and human rights “need to be protected and promoted.” “We will learn the best practices in the region,” EU official said, referring to ways to tackle disinformation. Elephant in the room goes unmentioned.

EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity: “Tomorrow’s VTC doesn’t replace face to face summit. EU is still hoping to meet in Tokyo ASAP. Tomorrow is the first time these matters are discussed bilaterally between EU and Japan despite earlier meetings over G7 and G20.”

Issues to be covered: 1. Covid 19 pandemic. “EU and Japan share pretty much the same approach in tackling Covid 19. Working with likeminded countries like Japan is extremely important for multilateralism.”

2. Economic partnership: “EU is the first partner for Japan to sign such a comprehensive agreement. We believe we have a very strong basis to further develop future cooperation and explore different areas to work together on, which for us would mean a win win situation.”

Von der Leyen, who pledged to build a geopolitical union, would “probably not spend a great deal of time discussing geopolitical issues with Japan,” EU official added.