Kyodo News
April 28, 2022

Japan, Germany leaders to launch panel to reinforce security ties

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed Thursday to set up an intergovernmental panel involving the two leaders to further beef up their security ties, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine poses new security challenges to the West.

Kishida told a joint press conference after their meeting in Tokyo that they confirmed plans to hold the panel’s first meeting next year. They pledged to oppose unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force in the East and South China seas….

“Currently, the international community is at a key juncture due to Russia’s aggression on Ukraine and facing a crucial moment to put an end to it and recover peace, stability, and international order,” Kishida said.

Scholz said the new security dialogue framework “will elevate Germany-Japan relations to a new level qualitatively.”

Kishida and Scholz also renewed their commitment to promoting a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” an initiative to counter China’s growing influence in the region.

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Kishida welcomed Germany’s greater interest and involvement in the Indo-Pacific region and said the two countries will work together closely to deal with various challenges, including their response to China.

They also vowed to strengthen their support for Ukraine along with “unprecedentedly strong sanctions on Russia.”