Japan and Germany have many things in common, such as the historical background and the development of economic and trade development, as well as maintaining a particularly cautious attitude in the use of military forces.However, due to the geographical distance, there were not many cooperations in the fields of political and security in the past.But in recent years, in terms of politics and security, Japan and Germany have suddenly become very close.
After the Japanese Prime Minister Kishita, after attending the NATO Summit held in Washington in July, he visited Berlin and held talks with German Chancellor Takash.Kishida once again emphasized that the two countries with the same value and principles shared the role of maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on law, which should play a greater and greater role, and emphasized that Japan and Germany further deepened the significance of cooperation.In addition to the diplomatic rhetoric between the Japanese and German heads that belong to the Seventh Kingdom Group (G7) and closely related to, in fact, we can see more substantial deepening cooperation between the two countries.
On July 12, the summit talks were held, and Japan and Germany's material labor services provided the agreement (ACSA) to take effect. The provision of materials and labor between the Self -Defense Force and the German Federal Defense Force became easier and lay a foundation for promoting closer cooperation.In the summer of 2021, the Bavarian frigates of the German Federal Defense Force visited Japan for the first time after 20 years, and then European fighters also flew to Japan.In July 2024, the European fighter aircraft visited Japan again and held a joint military exercise. Later, the Baden -Vatteberg -class frigates visited Japan, showing the sense of existence of Germany in India.
This trend is based on the Late Merkel regime and the Indo -Pacific policy guidelines formulated by Germany in 2020.During the period of Merkel's administration, Germany attached great importance to economic relations with China, and long -term adherence to the lack of policies in East Asian geopolitical views.However, the fourth Merkel regime established in 2018, just like the 2019 China -Europe Strategy Outlook, began to regard China as a "institutional opponent" with different values.Before visiting China in 2021, it visited Japan before visiting China.In March 2023, the intergovernmental consultation between the Japanese and German governments by most cabinet members was institutionalized.In 2011, Germany has implemented similar intergovernmental consultations with China in 2011. Japan has finally established this framework, allowing Japan and Germany to regularly and comprehensively promote intergovernmental consultations.
Germany has repeatedly emphasized that strengthening the affairs participating in the Indo -Pacific region is not to fight against China, and between China and Germany are also continuously intergovernmental consultations and mutual visits.For Germany, due to investment and local production, it has inextricable connections with China in terms of economic structure. For political reasons, it is "de -risk". It is not easy to change its economic relations with China.Germany has always relying on Russia in energy. Because Russia invaded Ukraine, in order to reduce the vulnerability of the supply chain, major policy changes have to be made, and there is no room for hostile to China.However, Germany is also increasingly widely aware that although China has brought economic benefits, it is also a risk factor.In order to balance risks, the goal of Germany's lock -up is India -Pacific guidelines and strengthening Japan -German cooperation.
For Japan, cooperation with Germany also has many benefits.Germany occupies the core position in NATO and the European Union, strengthening relations with Germany, is conducive to strengthening close relations with NATO and the European Union.On the eve of the US election, the uncertainty of international political prospects has continued to increase.Regardless of Japan or Germany, no matter who the US president is, Japan and Germany are important allies and economic partners.In the future, we must not rely on the United States as after World War II, and Japan and Germany must improve their independence in their respective regions.Germany has the choice of strengthening and multilateral frameworks such as the European Union and NATO. Japan does not have such a powerful regional framework. Therefore, for Japan, it is particularly important to strengthen partnership with the same value.
Germany recognized that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has changed the international political pattern, so it is committed to rapidly strengthening the deterrent of alliance defense.It is not actions alone, but coordinated in NATO and the European Union to strengthen the participation of affairs in the Indo -Pacific region.Although some countries have expressed concern about Japan's strengthening military forces, Japan has established a mechanism to control the army through Parliament and strengthen cooperation with Germany acting in NATO and the EU framework. It is also based on the common value of human rights and democraticism. For JapanIt is of great significance.
The author is a professor at the Department of Comprehensive Cultural Research of the University of Tokyo
