Japanese premier, German president agree to strengthen cooperation in security, economy

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Thursday agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy and security.

The two leaders held a meeting in Tokyo for approximately 40 minutes, which was followed by a dinner for nearly 65 minutes, according to a statement from the Japanese government website.

Ishiba emphasized the importance of close cooperation with Germany, a key European partner sharing common values, in tackling global challenges.

President Steinmeier affirmed Japan’s importance, noting his commitment to working together.

Ishiba welcomed Germany’s increased involvement in the Indo-Pacific, stressing the inseparable nature of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security.

Both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in security, economy, science, and technology.

Ishiba also expressed hopes for greater intellectual and people-to-people exchanges, while Steinmeier voiced his desire for even stronger Japan-Germany relations across various fields.

They also discussed Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, and NATO, confirming their commitment to addressing international issues together.