The German Army is expected to team up with Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force in a joint exercise next year to promote regional peace.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that participating in the exercise, which is set to take place in Japan, is part of Berlin’s mission to maintain the rules-based international order, according to Kyodo News.
Pistorius confirmed that officials from the German Army have already visited Tokyo to coordinate their participation in the drills.
The partnership comes amid rising tensions in the East China Sea, where China is staking a claim on the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands.
Japan-Germany Partnership
Japan and Germany share a history of close collaboration with their armed forces.
In January, the two countries signed the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, a deal establishing a framework for the reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the two defense forces.
In 2022, the countries’ air forces teamed up to conduct their first bilateral exercise in Japanese territory.
The Rapid Pacific Exercise, established to boost the partnership between Japan and NATO, saw German Eurofighters visit Japan for the first time.
The aircraft joined the Japan Air Self Defense Force’s F-2 Viper Zero fighters in various air drills and exercises.
