Tokyo: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began a three-day official working visit to Japan on Thursday. Her trip coincides with the 160th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Italy and Japan, marking a significant milestone for the two Group of Seven nations.
According to Anadolu Agency, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to host Meloni for official talks on Friday. The discussions are anticipated to focus on enhancing bilateral ties, as both leaders have expressed a shared responsibility to shape the future international order. This meeting will be Takaichi's first interaction with a European leader in Japan since assuming office last October.
A video by The Epoch Times Italia captured Meloni's arrival in Tokyo, where she was greeted at the airport by Japanese lawmaker Arfiya Eri. The agenda for the meeting includes bilateral, regional, and international issues, with particular attention on the progress of trilateral collaboration with the UK on the Global Combat Air Program, which aims to develop next-generation fighter aircraft.
Japanese social media has highlighted the 'SanaMelo Summit,' a term coined for this meeting, as it represents a rare encounter between two conservative female leaders, a topic of interest according to the Japan Forward website. Notably, Meloni's visit coincides with her birthday, and she last visited Japan in early 2024 for a summit with the then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The relationship between Italy and Japan has grown considerably, with Japan now standing as Italy's third-largest trading partner in Asia. The bilateral trade volume is approximately $11.6 billion. In a joint opinion piece published by Nikkei Asia, Takaichi and Meloni emphasized their nations' commitment to defending a free, fair, and open international order amidst global instability and strategic competition.
The leaders also expressed their intent to collaborate on initiatives in Africa, aiming to build a future characterized by security, peace, prosperity, and stability. They highlighted their commitment to strengthening coordination within major multilateral organizations and forums, such as the G7 and the United Nations, to uphold an international order based on shared rules and the rule of law.
Meloni's visit to Japan is part of a broader diplomatic tour, as she arrived from Oman and is scheduled to visit South Korea over the weekend.