Germany and Japan Discuss Economic and Security Cooperation Measures Considering China

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio Holds Intergovernmental Meeting with German Chancellor

On the 18th, Germany and Japan held their first intergovernmental consultation with the participation of the prime ministers and ministers of both countries to discuss economic security cooperation measures. The consultation aimed to strengthen supply chains to reduce dependence on China for critical materials and to enhance cooperation in defending against cyberattacks.

According to a report by Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on the day, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo in the afternoon after their consultation, stating, "We have elevated the close Japan-Germany relationship to a new height," and added, "Economic security is one of the priorities of the Group of Seven (G7)."

Prime Minister Kishida also said, "It is indispensable to respond through cooperation with allied and like-minded countries." Chancellor Scholz said the bilateral relationship has "reached a new stage" and expressed his desire to "continue strategic cooperation."

Japan and Germany, the world's third and fourth largest economies respectively after the United States and China, share the commonality that China is their largest trading partner. They also depend on China for rare earth elements necessary for manufacturing, such as electric vehicle motors.

The two leaders agreed on sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and on supporting Ukraine. They also pledged cooperation for the upcoming G7 summit to be held in Hiroshima in May.