Japan-EU Horizon Agreement enables Japanese access to EU research funding

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in Ministry of Foreign Affairs Notice No. 321, dated October 23, that the “Agreement between the Government of Japan and the European Union on the participation of the Government of Japan in the programs of the European Union,” signed in Brussels on July 30, 2026, is being applied provisionally in accordance with the provisions of Article 17(2) until the Agreement enters into force. On the day of signing, the Government of Japan notified the European Union that the internal procedures required for provisional application and entry into force had been completed, and the EU side provided the same notification to the Japanese side on the same day. The date of entry into force will be announced separately.

The notice was issued in the name of Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi. Article 1 of the Agreement defines the conditions applicable to the government’s participation in EU programs or activities, and Article 3 delegates the specific conditions for the government’s participation in the Horizon Europe program to a protocol. The protocol defines the conditions for “associated” participation in said program, and Annex II contains a list of Japanese programs, etc., corresponding to the second pillar of the program.

Procedures for Provisional Application and Entry into Force Retroactive to the Date of Signing

Provisional application begins on July 30, 2026, the date of signing. Article 1 of the Agreement defines the scope as the government’s participation in EU programs and activities, and Article 4 recognizes the government’s participation based on the conditions of the Agreement, the protocol, and relevant regulations. Under Article 5, government representatives and experts may participate as observers in meetings such as committees in which representatives of EU Member States participate; however, they have no voting rights and are in a position to be notified of the results of votes. The participation of experts is, in principle, governed by the same rules and procedures as Member State representatives regarding the right to speak and the receipt of information and documents.

Burden Structure of Operational Contributions and Participation Fees and Fixed Amounts in the Annexes

Participation by the government or Japanese entities is conditional upon government contributions. The breakdown of contributions stipulated in Article 6 is as follows:

• Operational contribution (including emergency reserve funds)
• Participation fee (4 percent of the annual operational contribution, except for 3 percent for 2026)
• The government’s annual operational contributions for 2026 and 2027 are fixed amounts specified in Annex I
• Contributions may be adjusted retroactively if specified in a particular protocol (Article 7)
• The amount of automatic adjustment shall be the difference between the initial amount of the legal commitments actually entered into with the government or Japanese entities and the corresponding operational contribution paid by the government (Article 8)

Scope of Funding Agreements, Audit Authority, and Anti-Fraud Measures

The European Commission may adopt decisions imposing financial obligations on Japanese entities that are parties to the relevant agreement regarding claims based on funding agreements. The contact point designated by the Government shall be notified in advance of the subject, purpose, and legal basis of any inspection or audit. The European Commission and the European Anti-Fraud Office are authorized to carry out tasks to protect the EU’s financial interests from irregularities within Japanese territory. The Government shall cooperate with the competent authorities of the Member States or the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in the investigation and prosecution of crimes affecting the financial interests of the Union. Union institutions and bodies may communicate directly with Japanese entities, etc., for the implementation of the agreement.

Joint Committee, Observer Participation, and Dispute Resolution Procedures

• A Joint Committee, composed of representatives of the Government and the Union, shall be established and shall meet at least once a year (Article 14).
• Issues regarding interpretation and implementation shall be resolved through discussions within the Joint Committee within two months of being raised (Article 16).
• If not resolved, differences shall be settled through negotiation.
• The agreement shall be implemented based on the relevant laws and regulations in the territories of Japan and the Union (Article 15).

The practical implication for Japanese universities, research institutions, and companies is that they can participate directly in EU research funding programs as parties to funding agreements. At the same time, it is specified that participation is contingent upon the payment of contributions, and a mechanism is established whereby any outstanding amount will be covered by the contingency fund if the non-payment continues for three months after notification to the designated contact point.

Sources

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Notice No. 321 (dated October 23, 2026, Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi)
• Subject Agreement: Agreement between the Government of Japan and the European Union on the participation of the Government of Japan in the programs of the European Union (signed in Brussels on July 30, 2026)