Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met in Tokyo and described Japan and Germany as “premium partners”. They discussed closer cooperation on defence, cybersecurity, future energy supplies and artificial intelligence. Germany also wants to join the development of a Japanese-British-Italian fighter aircraft, while both countries said they were prepared to take greater responsibility for peace and stability. Merz left Japan with trade agreements and investment plans between the two countries, and promoted an alliance of medium-sized powers as a counterweight to China and the United States.

The talks also exposed disagreement over possible European measures favouring electric cars produced within the European Union in subsidies and public procurement. Japan’s Economic Affairs Minister Ryosei Akazawa said Japan was deeply concerned, while Toyota executive Kenta asked Merz to treat Japanese-made cars the same as European-produced vehicles. A decision on whether cars from Japan, the United Kingdom and South Korea would be included in the proposed programme had not yet been made. Japan’s car industry was also facing weaker sales in China and growing competition from Chinese electric-vehicle manufacturers.