Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Germany on Friday (July 12) and held talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The two leaders agreed to strengthen security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region to address the increasing military threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the region.
Kishida stated, “Due to the actions of China (CCP) and North Korea, the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region is facing greater threats. Germany and Japan share similar values, and cooperation between the two countries is becoming increasingly important.”
Scholz also expressed that despite the considerable distance between the two countries, Japan and Germany have “many similarities.” The leaders of both countries agreed that a “2+2” security dialogue involving defense and foreign ministers will take place in Japan in the near future.
The meeting between the two leaders coincided with the effective date of the Japan-Germany Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) on Friday. This agreement simplifies the process for the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the German military to share food, fuel, and ammunition.
Japanese officials revealed that a German escort ship is planned to dock in a Japanese port this summer, while a Maritime Self-Defense Force training squadron plans to visit Hamburg in northern Germany.
Prior to his visit to Germany, Kishida attended the 75th NATO Summit.
During the meeting with Scholz, Kishida expressed “serious concern” over the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which Scholz also noted as a violation of UN sanctions.
Japan regards the escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait as one of the most serious security challenges. The CCP considers democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to achieve reunification by force if necessary.
In Berlin, Kishida and Scholz expressed concerns about CCP’s use of massive subsidies to produce electric vehicles and other key products, and they decided to establish an economic security framework.
In terms of economic security, the two leaders also discussed how to strengthen the global trade order for freedom and fairness, while confirming their cooperation in enhancing hydrogen, semiconductor, and critical mineral supply chains.
Earlier this week, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced that Germany will gradually phase out key components of 5G technology from Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE in two stages starting from 2026. By the end of 2029, Germany aims to completely eradicate all Chinese 5G technology nationwide to protect national security from CCP threats.