Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni decided to work together on enhancing economic security, particularly in critical mineral supply chains. This collaboration is aimed at strengthening their countries' alignment as a response to China's increasing influence.
After their meeting in Tokyo, Takaichi and Meloni announced that they have elevated their ‘strategic partnership’ to a ‘special strategic partnership’ to enhance collaboration in various areas such as security and culture.
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According to the leaders, there is a serious worry about different types of economic pressures and the use of nonmarket policies and practices, as well as the imposition of export limitations that disrupt the global supply chains for important goods and components.
Japan and Italy are planning to create an advisory group to enhance collaboration in space technology. They will also work together in fields like artificial intelligence robotics and semiconductors, according to reports.
“As the international community faces a complex crisis and the strategic environment surrounding the Indo-Pacific region has become severe, close collaboration between like-minded countries has become more important than ever”, says Takaichi.
According to Takaichi, Japan and Italy, both part of the Group of Seven, will collaborate on ensuring a stable supply of liquefied natural gas during emergencies, as well as addressing other infrastructure and energy-related matters. Meloni expressed that the partnership between Japan and Italy holds great promise. She also mentioned that she talked to Takaichi about expanding sources of essential minerals and strengthening the durability of their supply networks.
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Japan and Italy both have worries about China, which is a major manufacturer of rare earths needed for advanced products, and frequently faces criticism for its coercive trade practices. Last week, Beijing implemented more stringent restrictions on the export of dual-use items to Japan, intensifying a diplomatic dispute that was initiated by Takaichi's comments in November hinting at a potential military action towards Taiwan leading to a possible reaction from Japan's defense forces.
The items under increased scrutiny may involve rare earth minerals. Japan and Italy rely significantly on China for the majority of their rare earth imports. Finance ministers from the G7 countries and a few other nations have agreed to hasten the decrease of their heavy dependence on China for important minerals during their meeting in Washington. Tokyo and Rome are increasing their cooperation in defense in response to China's expanding military presence in the Indo-Pacific region and Russia's attack on Ukraine. They believe that the security in the two regions, Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, are interconnected.
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The two nations are collaborating on a trilateral project with the UK to create a modern fighter jet that they plan to have in operation by 2035. This is the initial face-to-face meeting between Takaichi, who assumed office in October, and Meloni. The two women, both conservative leaders, exchanged greetings when they visited South Africa for the Group of 20 leaders' summit in November. Meloni will be staying in Japan for three days until Saturday to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.