Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni agreed Monday to deepen cooperation in advanced technologies, including semiconductors, while strengthening coordination on economic security and defense.
During a meeting in Rome ahead of a Group of Seven summit in France that started later in the day, the two leaders also welcomed a preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran intended to end their war, which has triggered global oil supply disruptions.
“Ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is a matter of critical importance for the international community, including Japan and Italy,” Takaichi said at a joint press event with Meloni after their talks.
Their meeting came as the two countries mark the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year and seek closer ties across a wide range of fields, particularly on supply chains amid concerns about overreliance on China for critical minerals essential to high-tech industries. Meloni also held talks with Takaichi in January in Tokyo.
“Giorgia and I have also agreed to work closely as special strategic partners on issues such as the Middle East, the war in Ukraine and security in East Asia, including China and North Korea,” Takaichi said.
