The leaders of Japan and Italy have agreed to accelerate security cooperation, including a deal to expand supply chains for critical minerals, emphasizing that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific ※is strongly interrelated.§
During their first face-to-face summit Friday in Tokyo, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, also agreed to boost cooperation over the development of a next-generation fighter jet involving the two nations and Britain and exchanged views on Russia＊s invasion of Ukraine and on China.
They agreed to continue to work together for a free and open Indo-Pacific and to realize a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
In a joint statement, they also said that Japan-Italy ties will be upgraded to a ※special strategic partnership.§
※With the strategic environment around the Indo-Pacific region growing increasingly severe, close cooperation among like-minded nations has become more important than ever for the peace and prosperity of our two countries, and for the region,§ At a Takaichi told a joint news conference after the talks.
Meloni voiced hopes for peace based on freedom and the rules-based order.
Japan and Italy also announced that they will establish a space consultation panel to promote the peaceful use of space, and expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges in light of the 160th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Meloni requested Takaichi visit Italy at an early date.
The two leaders, both conservative female politicians, aim to establish a relationship built on trust, with Takaichi also inviting current female members of her Cabinet 〞 Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama and economic security minister Kimi Onoda 〞 to join a meeting.
The Italian prime minister told the joint news conference that the two leaders are on the same wavelength, referring to Takaichi by her first name in a sign of their growing closeness.
Noting that she and Takaichi are the first female prime ministers of their respective countries, Meloni added that while serving in the post is a great honor, it comes with great responsibilities.
Posting a photo of the two leaders on X, Meloni said that despite the two countries＊ geographic distance, they have grown closer.
The Italian prime minister＊s trip to Japan was the first by the country＊s leader since February 2024.
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