As part of the Nihon-EuropA programme led by Professor Pierre-Yves Monjal, a new symposium will be held at the Faculty of Law of the University of Tours on 26 and 27 March 2018.

The chosen theme for this event is « Relations between the European Union and Japan: A Comparative Perspective on Our Mutual Influences and Shared Interests ».

The scientific objective is twofold. Firstly, in keeping with our commitment to bringing together both Japanese and European colleagues, we once again considered it appropriate to foster a dialogue between different perspectives in order to stimulate reflection and exchange during the symposium. Secondly, in terms of substance, the chosen theme is intended to be both broad and multidisciplinary.

Indeed, the issue of relations between the European Union and Japan should not be confined solely to economic exchanges between these two global powers. While this is certainly a significant and topical matter — particularly in light of the political agreement reached on 6 July 2017 regarding the Japan-European Free Trade Agreement (JEFTA) — this aspect will of course be addressed.

However, we also wish to extend our reflections to broader topics such as banking, diplomacy, history, law, and societal issues. Emphasis will also be placed on the multidisciplinary nature of this symposium. While legal scholars, both in public and private law, will be central to these discussions, contributions from historians, sociologists, and economists will also play an essential role.