Nikkei wrote that the German government is considering sending a naval frigate to Japan as early as this summer based on its new guidelines on the Indo-Pacific approved last fall. Noting that it is very rare for Germany to send a naval frigate to the region, the paper wrote that this is symbolic of a policy shift in Europe, which is becoming increasingly wary of China. According to sources in the German government and the ruling party, a frigate with a home port in northern Germany will stay in the Indo-Pacific region for quite a while, stopping in Japan, Australia, South Korea, and elsewhere, and is expected to receive supplies and participate in joint exercises in French territories in the region. Germany’s Parliamentary State Secretary of Defense Silberhorn told Nikkei that the country is planning to send the ship to the region this summer and that although the details have not been decided yet, Berlin is considering Japan as a possible port of call. The German official reportedly added that Germany wants to deepen its ties with partners in the democratic camp. The paper wrote that although the official stressed the plan is not targeted at any particular country, it is clear the move is aimed at sending a message to China, which is trying to forcibly change the status quo. The daily wrote that the UK is also preparing to deploy the aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth to the Indo-Pacific region sometime between April and June.