German Ambassador to Japan, Petra Sigmund, stated that the Indo-Pacific region represents the most important trade partnership for Germany outside of Europe, noting the existence of cooperation between Berlin and Tokyo in the development of defensive weapons.
This was stated in an interview Sigmund gave to the newspaper "The Diplomat," where she discussed the development of partnership between her country and Tokyo, Germany's increasing commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, and the broad geopolitical challenges facing the area.
The following are the key points from the interview:
Currently, we may seek to sign a reciprocal access agreement in the future, but for now, we are in an excellent position thanks to the existing arrangements.
In Japan, countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines are sometimes referred to as "informal allies."
Could Germany become an informal ally of Japan?
The term "ally" in Europe is usually used in its narrow military sense, as within the framework of NATO, and we do not have this type of formal alliance with Japan. However, from a broader perspective, we are linked by very close relations; we stand in solidarity in defending the existing rules-based international system, support peaceful conflict resolution, and are partners in the G7, which means we share core fundamental values and interests.
In recent years, NATO has been enhancing its cooperation with the "Four Partner Countries" in the Indo-Pacific—Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan.
Is there cooperation between Japan and Germany in the development of defensive weapons?
Yes. Our goal is to remain at the forefront of modern defense technologies, enhance the resilience of supply chains, and strengthen joint deterrence against regional and global threats.
What is Germany's stance on the territorial dispute between China and Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands?
Germany's position is clear and principled: we call for the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue between the parties involved. However, we are concerned about the escalation of tensions in the East China Sea, including around the Senkaku islands, due to the potential impact on regional peace and stability.
What does Germany expect from the parties to this conflict?
We believe that all parties should avoid any actions that could fuel tensions or escalate the situation, and instead focus on maintaining regional stability, ensuring that any steps taken comply with international law and serve international security and peace.
It is said that over 20% of Germany's trade is with the Indo-Pacific region. Is this true?
In fact, the figure is a little over 20%. About half of Germany's trade is conducted within the European Union, which provides a strong and stable foundation and means we are not overly dependent on any single country. Among individual countries, the United States is Germany's largest trading partner outside the EU, followed by China in second place with a share of about 10% of our total foreign trade. The broader Indo-Pacific region—including Japan, India, Taiwan, ASEAN countries, Australia, and others—represents the most significant area for our trading partners outside of Europe. Given this importance, Germany strives to ensure that maritime trade routes remain open and secure, as our trade with Asia heavily depends on these passages.
