Minister Akazawa Holds Meeting with H.E. Mr. Roland Lescure, Minister of Economy, Finance, Industry, Energy, and Digital Sovereignty of the French Republic

In the meeting, the two ministers discussed cementing collaboration in economic security, including collaboration in the G7, strengthening supply chain resilience, and other topics. They also exchanged views towards expanding bilateral economic cooperation particularly in the fields of critical minerals, nuclear power, startups, and space.

Prior to the meeting, the ministers signed the Roadmap for bilateral cooperation between Japan and the French Republic on critical minerals and metals. This roadmap, following the Japan-France Declaration of intent on critical minerals  signed in May 2024, is a cooperation document outlining specific initiatives going forward.

The ministers affirmed their commitment to promoting joint projects involving Japanese and French companies, including the Caremag heavy rare earths project that symbolizes Japan-France collaboration, and agreed to promote further cooperation towards diversifying critical minerals supply chains in both countries.

The two ministers also signed the Joint Statement of Intent on Japanese-French cooperation for startups and innovation. Under this joint statement, which follows the Joint Statement of Intent on Japanese-French Cooperation for Startups and Innovation signed in May 2024, the ministers affirmed their commitment to enhancing synergies in ecosystems between Japan and France, networking, cooperation, partnerships, and joint projects in startups, promoting bilateral cooperative relations going forward.

In addition, on the occasion of the visit to Japan of President Macron, the French Embassy hosted an event to mark the signing of memoranda of understanding between Japanese and French space companies. Over 10 memoranda of understanding were announced there.

Related Materials

• Outline of the Japan-France Critical Mineral Cooperation Roadmap (in Japanese)(PDF:238KB)
• Joint Statement of Intent on Japanese–French cooperation for startups and innovation(PDF:217KB)
• List of inter-company MOUs in the space sector announced on this occasion（in Japanese）(PDF:154KB)

Related Links

• Minister Saito Visits France（May 3, 2024）
• The Japanese and French Governments Work Together to Support a Heavy Rare Earth Project in France（March 17, 2025）
• State Minister Iwata Visits France（May 23, 2024）

Divisions in Charge

• For inquiries on this news release

  Europe Division, Trade Policy Bureau

• For the Critical Minerals Roadmap

  Mineral Resources Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau

• For the Joint Statement for startups and innovation

  Innovation and Startup Promotion Division, Innovation and Environment Policy Bureau

• For cooperation in the field of space

  Space Industry Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau