Japan and the European Union have announced plans to increase collaboration in aiding Afghanistan, combating piracy off Somalia, and enhancing their trade relations, as stated by their leaders at a summit in Tokyo. EU president Herman Van Rompuy emphasized the importance of closer cooperation between Asia's largest economy and the 27-nation bloc to become influential global economic and political players. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama confirmed that both parties have agreed to work together on peacebuilding efforts in Afghanistan and Somalia, as well as establishing a high-level group of experts to improve economic ties over the next six to twelve months. Tokyo is interested in establishing a free-trade agreement similar to the one the EU made with South Korea, a high-tech competitor of Japan. However, Brussels has raised concerns about non-tariff barriers hindering trade with Japan. Van Rompuy has also emphasized the importance of collaborating on various global issues such as climate change, poverty, terrorism, economic stability, nuclear non-proliferation, and human rights. He believes that by working together, the EU and Japan can make a significant impact in a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected. He also highlighted the importance of international network security and the threat of attacks on the free movement of goods, people, and information. The networks are at risk, cyber-attacks are a real threat that can occur frequently and cause damage. It is important to strengthen our defenses against these attacks. Japan and Europe are heavily interconnected in global networks, so it is essential to work together on this. Van Rompuy also discussed economic relationships during a previous briefing at the Japan Press Club, suggesting that a free-trade agreement could boost trade between the two regions. However, he noted that there are still obstacles to trade, such as non-tariff barriers in Japan that make the EU hesitant to move forward. He suggested that they should consider taking more time to establish the goals of both parties before proceeding with discussions. The EU has requested that Japan address non-tariff barriers, such as product safety and government procurement rules, before moving forward. Toshiro Tanaka, a professor at Keio University, noted that while the EU claims Japan's market is hindered by non-tariff barriers, they are hesitant to pursue a free-trade agreement. On the other hand, Japan is eager to secure a deal with the EU, as demonstrated by their interest in the agreement between the EU and South Korea. At present, the European Union enforces tariffs of 10 percent on vehicle imports and 14 percent on electronics. However, South Korean companies like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai Motor are expected to be exempt from these tariffs in the future. This exemption puts Japanese manufacturers at a significant disadvantage when selling their products in the European market, according to Tanaka who spoke to AFP. The EU delegation is now heading to China for a summit in Shanghai, coinciding with the start of the World Expo on Saturday.