TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday agreed to cooperate in the field of economic security, including by strengthening supply chains for semiconductors and other advanced technology products.

Meeting at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo, they also confirmed the importance of continuing to impose strict sanctions against Russia and provide strong support to Ukraine.

At the beginning of the talks, Kishida stressed that Japan and Germany have been maintaining relations that are stronger than ever.

Scholz voiced hopes to continue cooperation between the two countries.

In the meeting, the two leaders agreed to step up cooperation to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific, against the backdrop of China’s maritime expansion. Also, they are believed to have exchanged views on a summit of the Group of Seven major democracies to be held in the western Japan city of Hiroshima in May.

Later on the day, the two leaders held the first intergovernmental talks together with six members each from their cabinets, including finance, foreign and defense ministers.

The talks were realized at the proposal of Scholz made during his meeting with Kishida in April last year.

In the talks, held at the prime minister’s office, located next to the prime minister’s official residence, participants mainly discussed economic security issues.

JIJI Press