"The EU and Japan has recently signed an agreement on cooperation in science and technology. The EU Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potočnik has stated that ""This agreement between the EC and Japan opens a new chapter in the history of science and research cooperation between two of the main knowledge providers in the world in a new era of international global cooperation in research. We face common challenges and we should address them together for our planet, for our people and for our future. It also represents one step further in the opening of the European research area to the world"". Based on this rationale, CONCERT-Japan is bringing together the European countries to consolidate and structure their S&T cooperation with Japan. One of the main principles of EU FP7 is opening of the European Research Area (ERA) to the world. However, in the case of Japan, this objective still remains to be achieved. In this framework, CONCERT-Japan is an ERA-NET initiative to coordinate, network and enhance S&T cooperation of the European countries with Japan through developing a concerted cooperation approach. To that end, specific features of this ERA-NET action include the definition of common elements in present cooperation, identification of priorities and models for future cooperation, implementation of a pilot joint funding activity and development of a durable programmatic approach for the future. Enabling European countries to speak with one voice in science and technology cooperation with Japan, this project will unveil the mutual interests of Europe and Japan, bolster their position in the global competition for knowledge and elevate research excellence. A consortium consisting of 10 partners from European countries and 3 partners from Japan will realize this ambitious target. When doing this, the consortium will devote utmost care to principles such as inclusiveness, equitable representation, gender equality, environmental responsibility and efficiency."