Japan and France deepen ties amid Middle East situation

Japan and France must work together at a time of unprecedented global crisis, said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Wednesday (April 1) during a "2+2" meeting between the two countries in Tokyo.

Barrot told his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi that France and Japan joining forces was a strategic move to avoid becoming pawns of other powers.

Motegi also emphasized the importance for the two countries to keep close ties in the field of diplomacy and defence.

The meeting happened on the sidelines of the summit between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and French President Emmanuel Macron who are expected to create a roadmap for diversifying supplies of rare earths and other critical minerals.

Production: Irene Wang, Fred Mery/Reuters