The leaders of Japan and the European Union announced plans to increase collaboration in assisting Afghanistan and addressing piracy off the coast of Somalia. They also expressed intentions to enhance trade relations through upcoming discussions. EU president Herman Van Rompuy emphasized the importance of closer cooperation between Asia's largest economy and the 27-nation bloc in order to have a greater global political and economic impact. Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama stated that they have agreed to work together on peacebuilding efforts in Afghanistan and Somalia, as well as establishing a group of experts to discuss economic ties in the coming months. Tokyo is keen to establish a free-trade agreement similar to the one the EU made with South Korea, Japan's high-tech export competitor. However, Brussels has raised concerns about non-tariff barriers to Japan's market. Van Rompuy has also urged for closer collaboration on various issues including climate change, poverty, terrorism, global economic stability, nuclear non-proliferation, and human rights. He emphasized the importance of working together to address challenges and stated that the EU and Japan, with their combined economic and political power, can make a positive impact in a globalized world. Van Rompuy also highlighted the importance of international network security and the threat of disruptions to the free flow of goods, people, and information. The networks are at risk, cyber-attacks are a real threat that can occur daily and cause harm. It is important to strengthen our ability to withstand these attacks. Japan and Europe are interconnected in global networks, so it is crucial for us to work together on this issue. Van Rompuy also discussed economic connections at a previous briefing at the Japan Press Club, suggesting that a free-trade agreement could help increase trade between the two regions. However, he noted that there are still obstacles to trade, such as non-tariff barriers, that need to be addressed. He suggested that both parties should take the time to clearly identify their objectives before moving forward. The EU has requested that Japan address non-tariff barriers, such as product safety and government procurement rules, before proceeding with discussions. Toshiro Tanaka, a professor at Keio University, noted that the EU has criticized Japan for non-tariff barriers, but is hesitant to sign a free-trade deal, while Japan is eager for an agreement. Tanaka mentioned that Japan's interest in a deal with the EU was sparked by the agreement between the EU and South Korea in October. At the moment, the European Union applies 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 be exempt from these tariffs. This exemption puts Japanese manufacturers at a significant disadvantage when trying to sell their products in the European market, according to Tanaka who spoke to AFP. The EU delegation will soon travel to China for a summit in Shanghai, coinciding with the start of the World Expo on Saturday.