German companies see strong potential for cooperation with Japanese partners
- 48% of German companies surveyed in Japan find Japanese firms more willing to cooperate today than ten years ago
- Inflation and rising interest rates: 46% expect a negative impact on their business in Japan, 56% also see new business opportunities
- “Value partnership” pays off: 43% see positive effects on Germany’s economic cooperation in Japan, 40% on political relations in Japan
28 October 2026 | Tokyo – Japanese companies are increasingly seeking cooperation with German partners: 48% of German companies in Japan find Japanese firms more willing to cooperate today than ten years ago, while only 9% observe the opposite. These are the findings of the latest flash survey by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (AHK Japan), published on the occasion of the visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Today, the Chancellor will deliver the keynote speech at AHK Japan’s German-Japanese Business Summit in Tokyo – in front of around 350 guests, including numerous top executives and high-ranking political representatives from both countries.
“Japan is far more than a sales market for Germany – it is a strategic partner with whom we can unlock the economic opportunities of the future. Especially at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, we should expand our cooperation and make use of Japanese companies’ increasing openness to new partnerships”, said Marcus Schuermann, Chief Executive Officer of AHK Japan and Delegate of German Industry and Commerce in Japan. “The Chancellor’s visit sends an important signal in this direction. Whether economic security, future technologies or securing skilled labour: Germany and Japan share common interests and can therefore jointly advance concrete solutions.”
As export-oriented economies, both countries face similar challenges. In times of geopolitical tension, German companies value Japan above all for its reliability. Accordingly, respondents call on Germany to pay significantly more attention to its partner Japan.
Inflation and rising interest rates: a burden and an opportunity
After decades of deflation, rising prices and interest rates are fundamentally changing the business environment in Japan. 46% of companies expect a negative impact on their business in Japan over the next twelve months, 32% a positive one. At the same time, 56% are convinced that inflation and rising interest rates will stimulate the Japanese economy and create new business opportunities. Respondents cite the weak yen, which makes German products more expensive, as well as high energy and raw material costs in Germany as the main burdens.
Value partnership pays off
Germany’s strategic partnership with Japan, which has deepened since 2022, is having an impact: 43% of companies see positive effects on economic cooperation in Japan and 40% on political relations in Japan – virtually none see negative effects. Since the new administrations in both countries took office, high-level exchange has gained noticeable momentum; the second intergovernmental consultations are planned to take place in Germany in 2027.
Opportunities in future-oriented sectors
Opportunities also arise from the industrial policy of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which promotes investment in 17 strategic sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence and biotechnology. German companies are in demand here as suppliers and technology partners. In addition, Japan is increasingly opening up to international cooperation in defence and space. Further potential lies in critical raw materials, energy and nuclear fusion. To fully exploit the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Japan, certification hurdles should be reduced, for example through the mutual recognition of standards – which would benefit small and medium-sized enterprises in particular.
Dual vocational training to tackle the skills shortage
AHK Japan is making a concrete contribution to tackling the shortage of skilled workers with its dual vocational training programme launched in 2024. The programme adapts the German curriculum to Japan and currently trains automotive mechatronics technicians – in companies at Mitsubishi Fuso and BMW dealerships and at three partner schools in Tokyo, Kobe and Gunma prefecture. More than 50 trainees are now enrolled across three cohorts, with the first graduates expected in spring 2027. Following the positive response, the programme is set to be expanded to further occupational fields.
German business in Japan
Japan is a key partner for German business. With a trade volume of 43 billion euros (2025), Germany is Japan’s number one trading partner in Europe. According to the European Commission, around 12,500 German companies export to Japan. According to the latest AHK Japan figures, 762 German companies have their own subsidiary in Japan, 83 of which manufacture locally at 131 production sites. Germany’s stock of foreign direct investment in Japan amounts to 15.2 billion euros (2024).
The current AHK Japan flash survey ran from 6 to 9 October 2026. Responses from 133 (28%) of the 471 companies surveyed were included in the evaluation.
You can find previous surveys in our archive.