The aim of the present article is to analyze the development of relations between Japan and the West European countries in the second half of the 20th century. This research is highly relevant because predictions of modern day interactions between the East and the West can be based on the analysis of development of relations between the key-nations of Europe and Asia in the second half of the 20th century. The article is based on research conducted by Russian, Japanese and Western experts on relations between Europe and Japan as well as bilateral and multilateral agreements between Japan and the EU as well as statistical reports of the European Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Japan. The author of the article used the complex systems approach, as it is the best way to describe the multidimensional nature of relations between Europe and Japan. Other methods employed in the article are the document and content analysis methods because of many official documents used in the research. The research in question covers the processes that accompanied the formation of political and economic ties between Japan and the European Community. The implementation of the neoliberal approach to international relations by the end of the 20th century allowed Japan and the EC to overcome problems that political realism did not allow to solve. This laid the foundation for a transcontinental strategic partnership that can only be maintained and thrive in a neoliberal system of international relations.