On 3 December 2018, Europol and the National Police Agency of Japan (NPA) signed a Working Arrangement with the aim of combating serious, international cross-border, and organised crime such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and cybercrime. Under the arrangement, a secure communication line will be established between the agencies. Furthermore, the NPA may second a liaison officer to Europol. In this way, a secure, timely, and direct exchange of information between Europol and the NPA will be ensured.

The arrangement comes in addition to the cooperation offered by the existing Agreement between Japan and the European Union on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. It is also designed to foster cooperation between the EU and Japan in view of the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.