Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has met her Canadian counterpart Mark Carney in Tokyo. They agreed to launch a bilateral economic security dialogue, partly to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals.
The two leaders met on Friday in what was Carney’s first visit to Japan since taking office in March last year.
At the outset of their talks, Takaichi said Japan and Canada share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law.
She also said that Canada is one of Japan’s most important strategic partners for promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Takaichi said the current international situation makes the two countries’ relationship more important than ever. She called for broad discussions on ways to further develop bilateral ties, as well as on the situation in the Indo-Pacific and around world, including Iran.
A joint statement signed by the leaders says the two countries will establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The statement also says that a new Economic Security Dialogue will cover topics such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology, as well as supply chains for critical minerals.
Takaichi and Carney agreed that they will aim to foster more successful collaborations between their private sectors in the field of energy.
The two countries will also launch a Cyber Policy Dialogue and strengthen other forms of security cooperation, such as by expanding joint exercises.
Speaking at a joint news conference, Takaichi noted that Japan and Canada will mark their 100th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2028. She said Japan hopes to open a new chapter for relations in the run-up to the milestone.
Carney said that “most importantly and fundamentally,” the two countries are enhancing their security and defense cooperation through information sharing and technology transfers.
The situation in Iran and the Middle East was discussed later at a working dinner.
Takaichi told Carney that Japan condemns Iran for closing the Strait of Hormuz. They agreed to work closely toward resolving the situation.
AloJapan.com