Japan, Canada Agree to Launch Economic Security Dialogue, Expand Defense Cooperation
Tokyo, The Gulf Observer: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have agreed to launch a new dialogue on economic security and establish a consultative body on cyber policies to enhance bilateral cooperation, media reports said on Friday.
Speaking at a joint press conference following their talks in Tokyo, Prime Minister Takaichi said the two countries would also strengthen defense cooperation by expanding joint military exercises amid growing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
“We will seize every opportunity to advance concrete cooperation, including in cutting-edge technology fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, as well as efforts to make critical mineral supply chains more resilient,” Takaichi said.
Prime Minister Carney described Japan and Canada as close partners in economic security and highlighted Japan’s position as one of Canada’s largest investors.
“We are ready to do much more,” he said, emphasizing the potential to expand bilateral collaboration across multiple sectors.
Japan is seeking to diversify its supply chains by strengthening cooperation with like-minded partners such as Canada, which is rich in natural gas, crude oil and critical minerals. A Japanese government official noted that Canada’s strategic importance for Tokyo has been increasing in recent years.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the two leaders announced the establishment of a bilateral “comprehensive strategic partnership” and outlined a roadmap for future cooperation in key areas including trade, investment, food security and climate action.
The statement said the first meeting of the economic security dialogue will take place later this year, while the newly established cyber policy dialogue will focus on strengthening security and defense cooperation through information sharing to counter growing threats in cyberspace.
Japan and Canada also reaffirmed their commitment to international law, stating they strongly oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, including actions in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
Facing security challenges from China and North Korea, the two countries have been expanding defense cooperation. Last July, they signed an agreement to facilitate the exchange of classified information.
Carney’s visit marks his first trip to Japan since taking office a year ago. The visit comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions following U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran and retaliatory strikes by Tehran across parts of the Middle East, raising concerns over global energy security.
Before arriving in Tokyo for his two-day visit, the Canadian prime minister also toured India and Australia and earlier visited China in January, becoming the first Canadian leader to travel there in eight years.
Ahead of the leaders’ meeting, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty also held talks, reaffirming the importance of maintaining regular defense dialogue and enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
