Japan, Germany to boost security cooperation amid wars, shifting US ties

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and his German counterpart Johann Wadephul agreed on Monday to strengthen bilateral cooperation, amid the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and shifting relations with the United States.

During the first “strategic dialogue” between the two nations, Iwaya and Wadephul agreed at a meeting in Tokyo to work closely towards a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, the Japanese foreign ministry said.

The ministers also pledged to cooperate on Indo-Pacific issues, including North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes, and on the Middle East, where a humanitarian crisis continues in Gaza amid Israeli attacks, the ministry said.

“With the international order facing a severe situation, there has been a growing need for cooperation between Japan and Germany,” Iwaya said at the outset of the meeting.

Wadephul described Japan as Germany’s “special partner in Asia”, noting both countries shared a “longstanding, deep friendship and close cooperation”, along with common values and interests. He added that emphasising this in “a time of crises and conflict” was of particular importance.

Wadephul also noted that traditional allies such as the US remained important, but now faced new challenges. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and the potential nuclear armament of Iran, “highlight that closer cooperation among friends and natural allies is becoming increasingly essential”, he said.