The leaders of Japan and Germany have agreed to create a new bilateral communications framework in the field of economic security. The move is aimed at countering China, which the West accuses of economic coercion.
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met for about 40 minutes on Friday in Berlin.
They shared the view that security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is inseparable, in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Kremlin's closer ties with China and North Korea.
An accord on the provision of supplies and services between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and Germany's military took effect on Friday.
Kishida and Scholz agreed to boost defense cooperation based on the pact, known as the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement.
They also agreed to establish a new framework for discussing issues related to economic security, such as building supply chains for critical minerals and developing and producing semiconductors.
A communique issued at last year's G7 summit, which Kishida chaired, said the group will seek to "address the challenges posed by China's non-market policies and practices, which distort the global economy."
Japan and Germany launched inter-governmental talks involving their top leaders and Cabinet ministers last year.
Kishida and Scholz confirmed that the second round of those talks will be held in Germany next year.
Kishida arrived in Berlin after attending a NATO summit and other meetings in the United States. He is scheduled to head home on Saturday.