Japan, France to Reaffirm Supply Chain Cooperation at Wednesday Leaders Meeting

The Yomiuri Shimbun

12:47 JST, March 31, 2026

Japan and France are set to reaffirm their cooperation regarding supply chains during a summit meeting scheduled for April 1, it has been learned.

A draft has been obtained of the joint statement that will be issued following a meeting between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

With an eye on China and the volatile situation in the Middle East, Japan and France will commit to strengthening supply chains for energy and critical goods, and develop a roadmap to ensure steady supplies of rare earths and other key minerals, according to the draft.

The draft joint statement identifies four areas for enhanced cooperation: the Indo-Pacific, bilateral collaboration, global challenges and regional affairs. It will also include measures for bilateral cooperation on economic security.

The two nations are to express grave concern over actions that could severely disrupt international supply chains, with a focus on the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and escalating economic coercion by China.

Japan and France will also confirm their commitment to contributing to the diversification and security of supply chains based on the roadmap for critical minerals.

The two nations will additionally issue a joint statement on strengthening cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence. A high-level dialogue will be established to realize this.

The partnership will focus on dual-use technologies that can be utilized for both civilian and military purposes, as well as support for startups.

Timed to coincide with the summit, Tokyo-based startup Sakana AI Co. and French nonprofit Current AI will sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the AI field.