Canada-Japan Leaders Sign Defense, Energy Pacts

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Friday, signing a series of agreements to deepen bilateral cooperation on defense, energy security and economic ties amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East.

The two-day visit, the final stop on Carney's 10-day tour that included India and Australia, underscored Canada's push to strengthen partnerships with like-minded nations as global uncertainties mount. Carney, who took office last year, arrived with Defense Minister David McGuinty, highlighting the priority placed on security issues. The leaders' discussions focused on diversifying energy supplies and enhancing military collaboration, prompted by recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions that have disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

In a joint news conference, Carney emphasized the need for collective action in a volatile world. "The world is at a turning point. We see the manifestations in the Middle East. We see it everywhere," he said. Takaichi echoed the sentiment, stating that the agreements would "contribute greatly toward building a...