Meloni-Takaichi: Italy-Japan axis, an alliance beyond diplomacy

One meeting with a strong political and strategic value capable of weaving diplomacy, security and global economy. Today’s bilateral meeting in Tokyo between the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi relaunched the axis between Italy and Japan, as part of the celebrations for the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Meloni’s political choice and the continuity of the dialogue

At Kantei, the official residence of the Japanese Prime Minister, the Prime Minister immediately recalled that her presence in Tokyo was not the result of chance but of a precise political choice. “This is the third time I have come to Japan in three years of government,” he explained, claiming the continuity of a relationship built through direct meetings and dialogues constant and underlining that he is the first European leader to visit the country since Takaichi took office.

Towards a special strategic partnership

In her speech, the Italian Prime Minister wanted to give a broader framework to the relationship between Rome and Tokyo, speaking of aalliance based on trust and common visionwhich from today will aim to “further elevate bilateral relations to a special strategic partnership”.

Takaichi, for his part, defined Meloni’s visit as “a unique opportunity” to reaffirm the importance of the historic bilateral relationship by reiterating the strengthening of the strategic partnership.

International dossiers: Ukraine, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific

The principals were also at the center of the conversation international dossiers. Meloni recalled the need for “close cooperation between countries that share the same basic approach on the large ones global challenges“. Hence the comparison on Ukraine, Middle East e Indo-Pacificwith the common commitment to work for a just and lasting peace and for the stability of the areas most exposed to geopolitical tensions.

The Arctic as a new strategic priority

This last topic was also taken up by the Prime Minister in the video message sent to the conference presenting the Italian Arctic Policy, where she underlined how the Arctic – now an increasingly clearer half of Donald Trump – now represents a strategic quadrant in global balances. Meloni reiterated his belief that the region must become “a growing priority for theEuropean Union and for the NATOcalled to develop a coordinated presence capable of preventing tensions, preserving stability and responding to the interference of other actors”.

Economy and security of supply chains

Ample space was also dedicated to economic dimensionone of the pillars of the relaunch of bilateral relations. In the joint statement adopted at the end of the meeting, the two leaders underlined the importance of ensure economic order “free and fair”, strengthening economic security.

Both then committed to “collaborating on the front of csupply, critical raw materials and industrial resilience”, while expressing strong concern about all forms of economic coercion and non-market practices.

This is a reference to export restrictions that can alter global markets, as demonstrated by the measures adopted in recent years by China against Japan.

The symbolic value of the summit

There was also a slightly more symbolic passage. Meloni and Takaichi in fact share a primacy: they are the first two women to lead their respective countries. An element that the Prime Minister defined as “a great honor but also a great responsibility, to be exercised – she explained – by adopting a key word of Japanese culture: ganbaru”.

Mission agenda and economic relations

At the end of the meeting, lunch in the Kantei residence, with cake prepared in honor of the birthday (yesterday) of the prime minister, who in a long post on

In addition, a selfie with Takaichi and an image generated by artificial intelligence in manga style, a tribute to Japanese pop culture. Tomorrow the ‘Japanese mission’ will continue with a meeting at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo with the top management of the country’s main companies, to strengthen economic and industrial dialogue.

A significant step, considering that Japan is Italy’s third trading partner in Asia: between January and October 2025 trade reached 10.4 billion euros, with Italian exports rising to 7 billion (+2.6%) and around 170 Italian companies active in the country.

The president will then leave for Seoulaccompanied by daughter Ginevrawhere on January 19th she will be received by the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-myung.