Japanese firms will visit Canada in the spring to meet with local battery and mining companies, while a Canadian business delegation focused on energy, food, metals, and advanced technologies will head to Japan in October, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Thursday, following a meeting with counterpart Kishida Fumio in Ottawa. (The Logic)

Talking point: Canadian politicians have been a frequent sight in Japan in the past year. Ontario Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli and federal Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne—the co-authors of the new Canadian EV supply-chain story every official is so keen to tell—have each visited. Tokyo, meanwhile, is scouting new fuel sources to reduce its reliance on Russian oil, and Kishida said he’s seeking closer energy cooperation with Ottawa. But Trudeau dodged a question about whether he’s made any commitments on natural-gas exports or would expedite approvals for the LNG Canada project in Kitimat, B.C., emphasizing trade in hydrogen and batteries.