Japan and Germany strengthen security cooperation

Japan and Germany have agreed to strengthen their security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. This decision came following a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who arrived in Berlin on Friday for an official visit after attending the NATO summit in Washington, met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Kishida emphasised the importance of a united response among allies and like-minded countries to address economic security challenges. "It is important that allies and like-minded countries take a united response to the challenges in economic security," Kishida was quoted as saying by Kyodo News on Saturday.

During their joint press conference, Scholz highlighted the necessity of collaboration to minimise dependence on specific countries and regions for supply chains. The two leaders announced plans for their defence and foreign ministers to conduct "two-plus-two" security talks in Japan soon.

Additionally, the acquisition and cross-service agreement between Japan and Germany, which became effective on Friday, will simplify the sharing of resources such as food, fuel, and ammunition between Japan's Self-Defence Forces and the German military.