Core Viewpoint - Japan has expressed its intention to formally participate in the European Union's defense industry support framework, known as the "European Security Action (SAFE)," which aims to reduce reliance on the United States and support regional enterprises with a funding capacity of up to €150 billion [3][4]. Group 1 - The EU has established a financing mechanism under SAFE with a total funding capacity of up to €150 billion to support member states in developing and procuring defense technologies such as drones and missile defense systems [3]. - Japan's participation in the SAFE framework will allow Japanese companies to collaborate with EU firms in the development and production of new defense products, potentially expanding Japan's defense market in Europe [3][4]. - If an agreement is reached, Japanese companies could still qualify for funding even if the proportion of Japanese-made components exceeds 35% in jointly developed products [4]. Group 2 - The EU's initiative to strengthen security guarantees includes a broader funding plan of up to €800 billion, which is part of its strategy to enhance defense capabilities and reduce dependency on the US [3]. - Japan and the EU established their first security and defense partnership in November 2024, focusing on the Indo-Pacific region, which facilitates Japan's involvement in the SAFE framework [3].