Italy, Japan Announce Strategic Partnership During Tokyo Talks

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Tokyo: Italy and Japan agreed Friday to elevate their long-standing bilateral relationship, upgrading it to a “special strategic partnership” focused on defence, economic security and critical technologies, during a summit between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo.

 The landmark meeting, held as the two nations mark 160 years of diplomatic relations, saw both leaders commit to strengthening cooperation across multiple areas. They agreed to enhance security collaboration  including defence industry cooperation and next-generation military projects  as well as economic security initiatives such as resilient supply chains for critical minerals essential to advanced technologies and national security.

 Prime Minister Takaichi described the pact as an effort to bolster ties across “security and culture” while Meloni highlighted the deep friendship and shared values between Rome and Tokyo, emphasizing cooperation from industry and technology to research and innovation. The partnership also seeks to address broader global challenges and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

 The summit underscored mutual support for a free and open Indo-Pacific, with both leaders voicing opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo in regional waters and reaffirming commitment toward lasting peace in Ukraine. Trade and investment between the two countries, which reached around $11.6 billion in 2024, and collaborative defence initiatives such as a joint effort on a sixth-generation fighter aircraft alongside the United Kingdom, remain key pillars of the partnership.