European Union: EU and Japan issued Digital Partnership Council Joint Statement including cross-border data transfer regulation

On 12 May 2025, the European Union and Japan reaffirmed an agreement for tech and digital cooperation at their third Digital Partnership Council, which included commitments to advance cross-border data transfer regulation. Both parties underscored the importance of Data Free Flow with Trust, acknowledging the entry into force of a protocol amending the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement on 1 July 2024. Efforts to expand the EU’s adequacy decision for Japan to encompass academia, research, and the public sector were also noted, with commitments to conclude discussions swiftly. Furthermore, the EU and Japan initiated exchanges toward a joint working group focused on interoperability between European and Japanese data spaces, including practical applications in the automotive sector.