We have conducted research on the bilateral relations between Japan and the member-states of the EU (France, Germany, Italy, Benelux, and North European Countries) from 1997-1999. During this period, all the members and associate members of our research group visited the member-states every year in order to interview the officials or specialists of European Commission, collect research materials concerning their own issues and exchange views.
We held the meetings to make a report and discuss on each subject almost every month. In addition, we invited one or two foreign members of our group every year.
On the first year, we paid much attention to establish research framework on our subject. How can we connect global Japan-EU relations to bilateral relations between Japan and each EU member-state? For instance, in terms of economic and commercial topics, bilateral relations between Japan-EU member-states have often been characterized by global Japan-EU relations. On the political level, concerned member-states could arrive to harmonious compromise in favor of bilateral relations. In the second year, we held almost every month the research meeting for exchange of opinions and presentation of document.
In the third year, we endeavored ourselves to achieve general estimation on Japan-EU member-state bilateral relations, but we did not dare to achieve definitive common point of view. For the time being, we present our temporary conclusion on each subject.