Japan to Host Inaugural Tokyo Economic Security Forum on Monday

Japan Launches Inaugural Economic Security Forum Amid Global Challenges

The Japanese government is set to host its inaugural Tokyo Economic Security Forum on Monday, December 15, 2025, in Tokyo. This significant event will gather global officials and experts to engage in discussions on economic security, a pressing concern amidst escalating international uncertainties. The forum serves as the centerpiece of the world's first international Economic Security Global Forum Weeks, an initiative organized by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), running from October to December 2025, aimed at strengthening both domestic and international collaboration in this vital field.

Navigating a Complex Geopolitical Landscape

The forum convenes at a critical juncture, with global economic uncertainties amplified by factors such as the U.S.-China trade war, the imposition of high tariffs, and the ongoing impact of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. These events have exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains and highlighted the need for nations to forge closer ties and seek collective solutions to shared challenges. Discussions will focus on how countries can secure strategic materials, including energy resources, rare earths, food, semiconductors, and advanced technology, to protect their economic foundations.

Diverse Expertise to Tackle Key Issues

The Tokyo Economic Security Forum will feature high-ranking officials from the Japanese government and a diverse array of international participants. The agenda includes an opening session followed by four panel discussions covering crucial themes:

• Economic security policies and strategies, with senior government officials from Japan, Europe, and India sharing their approaches.
• Public-private collaboration to strengthen industrial and technological foundations for economic security, involving corporate representatives from companies such as NEC Corp., IBM Corp., and General Motors Co.
• Critical mineral supply chains, addressing stability and resilience.
• The intricate nexus of national security and the economy, with insights from think tanks in Japan, the United States, Britain, and Australia.

Japan's Proactive Stance on Economic Security

Japan has been a proactive leader in defining and implementing economic security measures. Its strategy, formalized through the Economic Security Promotion Act enacted in May 2022, focuses on several key pillars:

• Securing the stable supply of critical commodities.
• Ensuring the safety and resilience of key infrastructure.
• Supporting the development of cutting-edge critical technologies.
• Establishing a secret patent system.

This comprehensive approach aims to enhance Japan's strategic autonomy and indispensability in the global economic arena.

Fostering Global Collaboration for a Resilient Future

The Tokyo Economic Security Forum underscores Japan's commitment to fostering international dialogue and cooperation on economic security. By bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, the forum seeks to build a platform for mutual understanding and collaborative action, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and stable global economic order in the face of ongoing and emerging challenges.