The EU–Japan Aviation Partnership Project (EU–Japan APP) is a strategic initiative aimed at deepening aviation cooperation between the European Union (EU) and Japan. Implemented by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), the project supports long-term engagement between European and Japanese aviation authorities, with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and global regulatory leadership.
Designed to strengthen dialogue and mutual understanding, the EU–Japan APP promotes technical exchange and policy alignment in areas of shared interest. Key focus areas include sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), emerging aviation technologies, air traffic management modernization, and performance-based oversight. The project also encourages alignment on international regulatory developments and facilitates cooperation in multilateral aviation forums.
Activities under the EU–Japan APP range from high-level policy dialogues and expert panels to specialized training sessions, joint studies, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. These efforts aim to enhance interoperability, reinforce shared safety and environmental goals, and support Japan and the EU in maintaining their leadership in the global aviation sector.
By fostering close institutional ties and a future-oriented regulatory agenda, the EU–Japan APP reflects a shared commitment to shaping the next generation of safe, efficient, and sustainable aviation.
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UAS Operations workshop: advancing a risk-based framework
| EU and Japan Strengthen Cooperation on the Future of Unmanned Aircraft System |
The European Union and Japan are reinforcing their cooperation in civil aviation as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and new air mobility services become an increasingly important part of the aviation landscape. Both partners share the objective of ensuring that these new activities develop safely, responsibly, and in a way that supports innovation and public confidence.
In this context, a UAS Operations Workshop, held in Tokyo and Nagoya from 19 to 23 January 2026, brought together aviation authorities and industry partners from Europe and Japan for a week of structured dialogue and practical exchanges. The workshop focused on how risk-based approaches can support consistent decision-making for UAS operations and how operational and technical considerations can be addressed in a coordinated manner.
Discussions covered how authorities assess the safety of different types of UAS operations, how operators demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements, and how oversight practices can adapt as operations become more complex. A hands-on exercise based on real operational scenarios provided a common reference for exchanging views and comparing approaches used in Europe and Japan, helping participants move from general principles to practical application.
The workshop confirmed the value of continued EU-Japan cooperation in this rapidly evolving field. By sharing experience and perspectives, both sides strengthened their mutual understanding of how risk-based frameworks can support safe and scalable unmanned aviation, while allowing sufficient flexibility for innovation.
The event was organised under the EU-Japan Aviation Partnership Project (EU-JP APP), an initiative implemented by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) in close cooperation.
As UAS and advanced air mobility operations continue to expand worldwide, the European Union and Japan remain committed to working together as equal partners to shape a safe, forward-looking, and internationally coherent aviation environment.
source: EU News 003/2026