Merz makes first Japan visit: high tech, raw materials and a possible GCAP bid
The chancellor meets Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo. Declarations on chips, hydrogen and critical raw materials are expected, along with business deals worth billions.
Archive image · Photo: Cabinet Secretariat / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (cropped and resized)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz continues his Asia tour in Japan today, Wednesday, his first visit there about 18 months after taking office. In Tokyo he is to be received by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. According to the chancellery, Merz will also attend the German-Japanese Business Summit and visit a Japanese company that cooperates with German partners.
Government sources said several declarations of intent on high technology, critical raw materials, semiconductors, hydrogen and research have been prepared, along with a “double-digit number” of business agreements worth billions of euros in total. The two G7 members are also expected to discuss security in Asia and Europe; Japan is one of Ukraine's most important supporters outside Europe.
Defence cooperation could also be on the agenda. After the collapse of the Franco-German FCAS fighter jet project, Berlin is examining joining the Global Combat Air Programme, which involves Japan, Britain and Italy. Merz visited Singapore before Japan and travels on to South Korea; the trip runs from Oct. 26 to 30.