The leaders of Japan and Germany have announced plans to issue a comprehensive declaration including economic security. The declaration is expected to cover stronger frameworks for securing rare earths and defense cooperation, while more than 20 agreements between companies are expected to be signed.
Ahead of the German leader's visit to Japan early next month, the leaders of Japan and Germany indicated plans to issue a comprehensive joint declaration focused on economic security and other issues. Against a backdrop of intensifying competition among major powers, the two countries will upgrade their cooperation framework and develop arrangements for resource procurement and defense coordination.
The visit will be accompanied by a German business delegation of approximately 30 companies, including major European aircraft manufacturer Airbus and defense companies. More than 20 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) are reportedly scheduled to be signed between Japanese and German companies. A German diplomatic source explained that the joint declaration would be the first to provide a framework for agreements between companies and MOUs.
Discussions are also expected on diversifying sources of critical minerals, semiconductor supply chains and artificial intelligence as part of economic security. Securing strategic resources such as rare earths is expected to be a major theme. Defense industry cooperation has expanded in recent years, including the signing of an ACSA and progress on related partnerships.
At the talks, the prime minister will also exchange views on the situation in Ukraine and developments in China. An economic summit between Japan and Germany and discussions with investors are also scheduled.