Japan and the European Union have decided to enhance their joint efforts to support Afghanistan, address piracy in Somalia, and will initiate discussions to enhance their trade relations, as stated by their leaders during a summit in Tokyo. EU president Herman Van Rompuy emphasized the need for closer collaboration between Asia's largest economy and the 27-nation bloc to not only be influential in global economy but in global politics as well. Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama mentioned that they have agreed to cooperate on peace building in Afghanistan and Somalia, and will establish a high-level group of experts to explore economic ties for a period of six to 12 months. Tokyo is interested in establishing a free-trade agreement similar to the one the EU made with Japan's competitor, South Korea. However, Brussels has raised concerns about barriers to trade in Japan. Van Rompuy also emphasized the need for collaboration 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 have a significant impact in a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected. Van Rompuy also highlighted the importance of international network security and the threat posed by attacks on the free flow of goods, people, and information. The vulnerability of networks to cyber-attacks is a real threat that can cause harm on a daily basis. It is important for Japan and Europe to work together to enhance their resilience against these attacks. Van Rompuy also mentioned economic ties between the two regions, suggesting that a free-trade agreement could help increase trade, but non-tariff barriers are still hindering access to the Japanese market. He stated that it may be beneficial to spend additional time determining the shared objectives 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, as a priority. Toshiro Tanaka, a professor at Keio University specializing in European politics, noted that although the EU claims Japan's market is restricted by non-tariff barriers, they are hesitant to enter into a free-trade agreement. In contrast, Japan, with strong support from its business community, is eager to reach a deal with the EU. Tanaka highlighted that Japan's interest in a free-trade agreement with the EU was sparked by the deal signed with South Korea in October. At the moment, the EU enforces a 10 percent tariff on vehicle imports and a 14 percent tariff on electronics. However, South Korean companies like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai Motor will eventually not have to pay these tariffs. This puts Japanese manufacturers at a significant disadvantage when trying to sell their products in the European market, according to Tanaka as reported by AFP. The EU delegation will soon travel to China for a similar summit in Shanghai, coinciding with the start of the World Expo on Saturday.