Overview

• Wadephul publicly admonished China’s increased patrols and military exercises in the Taiwan Strait and South and East China Seas, saying they undermine the rules-based order.
• China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning accused him of stoking confrontation and cautioned against inflaming regional tensions.
• In talks with Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, Wadephul branded Japan Germany’s “premium partner” in Asia and agreed to boost defense and cybersecurity consultations later this year.
• The German minister pressed for tougher sanctions and firm security guarantees for Ukraine, thanking Japan for its roughly $12 billion in financial aid.
• After scheduled meetings with Japan’s economic and political leaders and a speech at a peace foundation, Wadephul will travel to Indonesia to continue his outreach to Indo-Pacific partners.