Global governance in transition: EU–Japan perspectives

Global governance in transition: EU–Japan perspectives

From The World Stage by NUPI

May 11, 2026 · 17 min · Season 2026 · Episode 8

About this episode

This episode explores how the EU and Japan are adapting to a fragmented world and shaping global governance through cooperation.

New forms of cooperation are emerging, and countries are increasingly turning to smaller, more flexible alliances to navigate uncertainty. In this new landscape, partnerships between like-minded actors matter more than ever, and the relationship between the European Union and Japan is a key example of this. As global governance continues to evolve, this episode asks: how can the EU and Japan not only adapt to change, but actively shape it? This episode of The World Stage is in collaboration with the podcast Making sense of EU by the Université libre de Bruxelles. In the episode we explore how the EU and Japan are adapting to a more fragmented and unpredictable world. Together with Professor Akiko Fukushima (Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research) and Dr Wrenn Yennie Lindgren (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs), we unpack the evolving balance between multilateralism and so-called “smaller clubs” – from ASEAN to the Quad – and what this means for global governance. We also discuss where the EU and Japan can act together to shape new rules, relying as much on trust and dialogue. This episode is hosted by Alix Bullman (Univerisité libre de Bruxelles). It is also a part of…

People in this episode

Host: Alix Bullman

Guests: Akiko Fukushima, Wrenn Yennie Lindgren

Topics covered

  • global governance
  • EU-Japan relations
  • multilateralism
  • international cooperation
  • smaller alliances
  • political adaptation

Keywords

  • EU
  • Japan
  • global governance
  • multilateralism
  • cooperation
  • politics
  • international relations

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: European Union, Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, NUPI, Université libre de Bruxelles, Horizon Europe, NAVIGATOR

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