16/09/2025 (Agence Europe) – The European Commissioner for Industrial Prosperity, Stéphane Séjourné, met the Japanese Minister for the Economy, Trade and Industry, Yoji Muto, on Tuesday 16 September. This was an opportunity for the two to take stock of the work of the ‘Competitiveness Alliance’, launched at the bilateral summit in July (see EUROPE 13686/12). They reported on progress in bilateral cooperation, including a memorandum of understanding and cooperation between European and Japanese organisations active in batteries and other technologies. The meeting on Tuesday 16 September also marked an agreement between the EU and Japan to strengthen collaboration in the critical minerals, batteries and biotechnology sectors. In Tokyo, Stéphane Séjourné, accompanied by a delegation of European business leaders, was also received by the Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba. (LM)