German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation during talks in Tokyo on Wednesday (28 Oct), signing more than 20 government and business agreements focused on security, economic resilience, advanced technology and defence.
The leaders reaffirmed Japan and Germany as “Premium Partners”, emphasising closer coordination on Indo-Pacific security, resilient supply chains and rules-based trade. They also confirmed continued cooperation on Ukraine, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals and emerging technologies.
Key developments:
- Security and defence: Expanded military cooperation, including a fighter jet feasibility study and future joint exercises.
- Economic security: New declarations on critical raw materials and supply chain resilience to reduce strategic dependencies.
- Technology: High-level AI dialogue launched alongside expanded cooperation on semiconductors, 6G, fusion energy and space technologies.
- Trade: Japan was confirmed as the Partner Country for Hannover Messe 2028, one of the world’s largest industrial trade fairs, highlighting closer cooperation in trade, manufacturing and technological innovation.
The strengthened partnership reflects growing alignment between Europe and the Indo-Pacific as both governments respond to geopolitical competition, economic security challenges and regional tensions while seeking to reinforce democratic cooperation and resilient global supply chains.
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