Like all other associated countries outside the European neighbourhood, Japan has joined only the second pillar of the programme, which funds collaborative work on industrial competitiveness and societal challenges. The European Commission said the development adds “one of the world’s most advanced R&I ecosystems to Europe’s network of scientific cooperation”. It added that the association “underlines a shared commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, [and] open and rules-based international research cooperation”. Replying to her post, Kurt Deketelaere, secretary-general of the League of European Research Universities, said the deal was a “fantastic achievement” from which Europe’s R&I community would “benefit greatly”. Japan is the 23rd country to associate to the 2021-27 version of the programme, following similar arrangements with Canada, New Zealand and South Korea.