“By working together, we can tackle the major challenges facing both our countries,” Wadephul said during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya in Tokyo.
“Freedom, security, and prosperity in Europe and the Indo-Pacific are closely intertwined,” he added.
Wadephul highlighted China’s support for Russia’s war effort, noting: “Without it, the attack on Ukraine would not be possible.”
He said Beijing is Russia’s largest supplier of dual-use goods, which can be used for both civilian and military purposes, and one of its main oil and gas customers.
The German minister also warned that China threatens to alter the status quo in the South and East China Seas and the Taiwan Strait, saying any escalation could have serious consequences for global security and the world economy.
Wadephul drew a parallel between Germany and Japan on defence spending.
Germany has committed to spending 5% of its economic output on security and defence, while Japan decided in 2022 to double its defence budget, demonstrating early foresight, the German minister said.
The two countries plan to hold further consultations this fall, including cooperation in cyber defence.
“Germany has traditional allies, such as the United States, who are important to us,” Wadephul said. “But even these friendships now face new challenges.”
He cited conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as Iran’s nuclear activity, as reasons closer cooperation among allies is increasingly vital.
As the world’s third- and fourth-largest economies, Germany and Japan face similar challenges, Wadephul said, calling Japan a “premium partner” in Asia.
He highlighted the impact of China’s recent export controls on rare earths used in semiconductor manufacturing, which affect both German and Japanese companies.
“Japan is a global leader in economic security. For Germany, the focus now is diversifying supply chains and reducing critical dependencies quickly,” he said.
Iwaya emphasized the growing importance of cooperation between Germany and Japan. “The international order faces significant challenges. Collaboration between Japan and Germany, as G7 members and leading democracies in Asia and Europe, is increasingly important,” he said.
During his Tokyo visit, Wadephul also planned meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and several economic ministers, as well as a speech at a peace foundation.
Source: dpa
