Kyodo News Digest: Oct. 29, 2026

Japan and Germany agreed to enhance critical mineral supply chains and establish a high-level dialogue on artificial intelligence amid economic security concerns over China. Separately, Japan and the U.S. defense chiefs agreed to boost cooperation against cyberattacks following recent data breaches. Costa Rica dropped its bid to join the trans-Pacific trade pact, and the U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady after a September hike. A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Chiba Prefecture in