Japan and Canada Seal Strategic Agreement to Bolster Defence and Energy Ties
Japan and Canada have formally signed a strategic agreement on Friday, aimed at significantly strengthening cooperation across defence, economic security, and energy sectors. This pivotal move comes as military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran intensify global anxieties over the stability of international oil supplies.
Leaders Emphasise Energy Security Amid Geopolitical Turmoil
During high-level talks in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney underscored the critical importance of energy security in an era marked by profound geopolitical uncertainty. According to a detailed statement released by the Japanese Foreign Ministry, both leaders concurred on the necessity to collaborate closely to diversify energy resources and expand bilateral trade and investment, thereby reinforcing resilient energy supply chains.
"The world is at a turning point. We see the manifestations in the Middle East. We see it everywhere," Carney remarked during a joint news conference, highlighting the widespread implications of the ongoing conflict. Carney's inaugural visit to Japan since assuming office last year coincides with escalating concerns over crude oil shipments traversing the Strait of Hormuz near Iran, a vital maritime chokepoint. Earlier this week, during a stop in Australia, Carney publicly advocated for the de-escalation of hostilities involving Iran.
Broadening Cooperation to Counter Regional Challenges
Beyond energy, Takaichi and Carney agreed to initiate comprehensive bilateral dialogues focusing on economic security and cyber policies. This initiative is a direct response to China's increasingly assertive trade practices and military activities across the Indo-Pacific region, which both nations view as a significant strategic challenge.
In a landmark development, Japan and Canada will commence negotiations aimed at establishing a formal defence pact. This agreement is designed to streamline procedures for military visits, joint exercises, and other cooperative operations between their armed forces. Additionally, the two nations pledged to enhance collaboration between their respective arms industries. This aligns with Tokyo's broader strategy to modestly expand its defence exports, a key component of Prime Minister Takaichi's plan to bolster Japan's military capabilities and defence industrial base, thereby fostering deeper cooperation with allied nations.
Domestic Policy Shifts in Japan
In a related domestic development earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Takaichi's governing Liberal Democratic Party, alongside its coalition partner the Japan Innovation Party, submitted a formal proposal advocating for the removal of restrictions on lethal weapons sales. This move represents a further departure from Japan's longstanding postwar pacifist principles. The Japanese government is anticipated to officially endorse this proposal in the coming months, signalling a significant shift in national defence policy.
AP video journalist Ayaka McGill in Tokyo contributed to this report.
