Japan, EU agree to protect supply chains

Japan's Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Saito Ken met with European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis in Paris on Thursday.

At the meeting, they discussed economic security, agreed on the need to avoid the overreliance on some countries and regions for procuring semiconductors and other goods. They expressed concerns about depending on countries for "strategic goods," including semiconductors and critical minerals.

They plan to work toward other considerations, such as protecting the environment and defending against cyberattacks.