Japan and France are planning to unveil a five-year road map in late June that deepens cooperation in areas ranging from maritime security to infrastructure assistance amid China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, government sources said Monday.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to announce the road map through 2023 when they meet in Tokyo during the French leader's official visit to Japan from June 26, the sources said. Macron is scheduled to attend the two-day Group of 20 summit in Osaka, which starts June 28.
Under the road map, Japan and France will deepen defense cooperation, assist developing nations in improving infrastructure and jointly cope with marine plastic waste.