Abstract
The paper argues that for EU–Japan cooperation the time has come to move from declarations of intent to action. It is suggested that in order to function and to last the cooperation needs a framework that pulls together and organizes different cooperation areas and concrete projects. The framework, it is suggested, should be a flexible “Structured Cooperation” in and under which cooperation would be treated as a negotiating project, in which the advantages and benefits of individual projects would lead to an agreed BoB—balance of benefits. To ensure delivery and allow for adjustments, adding and adjusting of subjects etc. a management and surveillance structure would be required to ensure an enduring interest of both sides in continuing cooperation. The individual cooperation projects, it is suggested, should be organized around common themes—the pillars—for better coherence and management. In a second part the paper suggests a practical and feasible cooperation project for improving the energy efficiency of some products widely used in Asia. That proposal uses the main elements of a relatively easy to implement approach that has been successfully applied in Europe. This approach has the advantage over others to make harmonization of efficiency requirements for energy using products in Asia possible, without the need to engage in time consuming and potentially controversial mutual recognition negotiations of national standards or the need to harmonize national Asian standards.
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T.J. Pempel: “US views of Japan’s Asian and European Relations,” 2007. Paper for a conference on “Japan–European Union: A Strategic Partnership in the Making”, 20th Nov. 2007 in Brussels
cf. Robert Axelrod “The Evolution of Cooperation” rev. edition 2006, p.124 ff
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of 18 December 2006, concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH); a fundamentally new way to regulate safety of chemical products in the EU.
Nippon Keidanren: Japan 2025, Envisioning a Vibrant Attractive Nation in the 21st Century
Long-term Strategic Guidelines “Innovation 25” (Unofficial Translation) Government of Japan June 1, 2007
Recent EU policy has been to use or replace EU standards by international standards. A significant case has been the replacement of a significant number of EU automobile standards in EU legislation by the international ECE automobile standards.
Japan actually is following quite closely the implementing work for the EuP which is presently under way. Its leading technology companies therefore have a very precise knowledge of its key elements.
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Keck, J. EU–Japan “Structured Cooperation” and energy efficiency for Asia. Asia Europe J 6, 205–216 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-008-0181-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-008-0181-3