Takaichi and Merz pledge to boost economic security and tech cooperation

What happened: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Wednesday, agreeing to bolster cooperation on economic security and advanced technologies during Merz's first visit to Japan since taking office last May. Why it matters: The two released joint declarations on economic security and advanced tech to guide relations. The statement did not directly mention China or the United States, appearing to offer implicit criticism of both.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Wednesday, agreeing to bolster cooperation on economic security and advanced technologies during Merz's first visit to Japan since taking office last May.

The two released joint declarations on economic security and advanced tech to guide relations. The statement did not directly mention China or the United States, appearing to offer implicit criticism of both.