Geopolitical events
On October 28, 2026, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz convened in Tokyo for a bilateral summit, issuing the "Japan--Germany Joint Leaders' Statement" alongside joint declarations on advanced technology and economic security cooperation. The discussions focused on mitigating risks from economic coercion, rejecting non--market trade practices, and securing supply chains for critical minerals. During the summit, Prime Minister Takaichi formally accepted Chancellor Merz's invitation for Japan to serve as the partner country for Hannover Messe 2028.