Japan and France Deepen Security and Trade Cooperation
Japan and France are strengthening cooperation on defence, economic security and critical mineral supply chains as bilateral goods trade approaches €18 billion and investment ties deepen.
PARIS — Japan and France have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations across defence, economic security and industrial cooperation, with critical mineral supply chains emerging as a strategic priority amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Japan’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Takehiro Funakoshi, visited Paris on October 15 and 16, holding talks with Martin Briens, Secretary-General of France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, on bilateral cooperation, regional security and shared international priorities.
Both sides welcomed progress in their relationship across security and defence, economic and industrial fields, including economic security. They also agreed on the importance of strengthening cooperation among like-minded countries to improve the resilience of critical mineral supply chains, which are essential to advanced manufacturing, clean energy technologies and strategic industries.
The discussions reflect broader efforts by both countries to reduce vulnerabilities in strategic supply chains and strengthen economic resilience as competition for essential resources intensifies.
Economic ties remain a major pillar of the Japan-France relationship. According to France’s Directorate-General of the Treasury, bilateral trade in goods reached nearly €18 billion in 2025, with French exports to Japan totalling €8.4 billion and imports from Japan amounting to €9.4 billion. France recorded a goods trade deficit of approximately €980 million.
Investment links are also significant. Japanese direct investment in France stood at €13.4 billion in 2024, an increase of 6.2 per cent from the previous year, making Japan a major Asian investor in the French economy. Between 2020 and 2025, Japanese companies initiated 276 projects in France, creating more than 7,300 jobs across sectors including manufacturing, automotive and agri-food industries.
These commercial ties provide an important foundation for closer cooperation on economic security, industrial resilience and strategic technologies, as both countries seek to safeguard critical supply chains and diversify economic partnerships.
During his visit, Funakoshi also met Nicolas Roche, Secretary-General for Defence and National Security, and Frédéric Mondoloni, Director-General for Political Affairs and Security at France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The meetings covered international developments, bilateral cooperation and regional security.
The discussions extended to the Indo-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, as well as global challenges and priorities under France’s Group of Seven (G7) presidency in 2026. Both countries reiterated their support for a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
Japan and France have maintained diplomatic relations since 1858 and have expanded cooperation in defence and security in recent years. Their engagement reflects shared interests in regional stability, international economic resilience and closer coordination among partners confronting common strategic challenges.
