Germany, Japan Strengthen Ties Amid Global Tensions

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi have strengthened their economic ties through a series of agreements on economic security and high tech. The agreements were made during a meeting between the two leaders in Tokyo on Wednesday, which was Merz's first visit to Japan since taking office in May 2025.

The meeting resulted in joint statements on economic security and future technologies, with a focus on reducing dependence on other countries and promoting cooperation in key sectors. The joint statement expressed concern about the growing use of economic coercion, including arbitrary export restrictions and retaliatory measures affecting critical raw materials.

Germany and Japan plan to step up cooperation in monitoring and assessing supply chains to prevent economic dependencies from being abused as a tool of pressure. The two nations will examine closer collaboration in key sectors such as critical raw materials, semiconductors, batteries, electric cars, industrial AI, robotics, pharmaceuticals, and wind power.

Merz and Takaichi welcomed the signing of a joint declaration of intent on critical raw materials. This move is particularly significant for Japan, which has faced supply bottlenecks for rare earths after China restricted exports of several important raw materials.

The two leaders also agreed to establish a high-level dialogue on artificial intelligence and to work more closely together on protection against cyberattacks. This cooperation is seen as a key aspect of their efforts to strengthen economic ties and promote mutual security.

## Why it matters The agreements between Germany and Japan come at a time of rising global tensions, with countries increasingly using economic policies as a means of exerting pressure on partners and rivals. The joint statement's emphasis on preventing economic dependencies from being abused as a tool of pressure is seen as a response to these trends. The cooperation between Germany and Japan is likely to have significant implications for the global economy, particularly in key sectors such as critical raw materials and high tech.

## What happens next The agreements between Germany and Japan mark an important step in their efforts to strengthen economic ties and promote mutual security. The two nations are likely to continue to work closely together in key sectors, with a focus on reducing dependence on other countries and promoting cooperation. As global tensions continue to rise, the cooperation between Germany and Japan is likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping the global economy.