ROME - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni agreed Monday to deepen cooperation in advanced technologies such as semiconductors and strengthen supply chains for critical minerals to bolster economic security while advancing defense ties.
The two leaders also welcomed a preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran intended to end their war that triggered global oil supply disruptions, before their planned participation in a Group of Seven summit beginning later in the day in Evian-les-Bains, France.
Their first meeting since Meloni visited Tokyo in January came as Japan and Italy mark the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year and seek closer ties across a wide range of fields.
Takaichi and Meloni agreed to expand cooperation in advanced technologies, including semiconductor design and space development.
They also discussed securing stable energy supplies and building more resilient supply chains for critical minerals to address vulnerabilities exposed by China's export controls on rare earths and other strategic materials.
On security issues, they reaffirmed that security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is inseparable and agreed to accelerate the Global Combat Air Program, or GCAP, a joint next-generation fighter jet project involving Japan, Italy and Britain.
Takaichi arrived in Italy on Sunday after visiting Britain for talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
