Tokyo, Oct. 23 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are expected to issue a comprehensive joint declaration focusing on economic security at their summit scheduled for Wednesday, Japanese and German diplomatic sources told Jiji Press on Friday. The two countries aim to upgrade their bilateral cooperation in the public and private sectors, creating a framework for resource procurement and defense collaboration amid escalating competition among major powers. Merz is set to visit Japan for the first time as chancellor. He will be accompanied by representatives of about 30 German companies from the automobile, chemical, insurance and transportation sectors, as well as European aircraft maker Airbus SE and German defense startup Helsing SE. German firms such as drone startup Quantum-Systems GmbH are slated to sign more than 20 memorandums of understanding with Japanese companies during the visit. A German diplomatic source told Jiji Press that the joint declaration would provide a framework for agreements and memorandums of understanding between Japanese and German businesses, and that it would be “the most comprehensive declaration” ever issued by the two countries, covering national security, economic security and defense industry cooperation. Securing supplies of critical minerals, including rare earths subject to Chinese export curbs, is a key focus of Merz’s visit, the source added. Defense industry collaboration between Japan and Germany has been expanding in recent years. In 2024, the two countries signed an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement allowing the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the German military to provide fuel and ammunition to each other. Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. and Airbus are collaborating on the development of a military drone, while Rakuten Group Inc. is helping German military drone startup Helsing SE expand its presence in the Japanese market. At Wednesday’s summit, Takaichi and Merz are expected to exchange views on the situation in Ukraine and China’s hegemonic ambitions, and discuss regional affairs and economic security, including diversifying sources of critical minerals and semiconductor supply chains and artificial intelligence. During his visit, the chancellor is also scheduled to attend an economic forum and a dialogue with investors, before traveling to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
