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The meeting on June 15, 2026, in Rome between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi represents one of the most significant moments in the recent development of relations between Italy and Japan. The summit occurred at a time marked by profound geopolitical, economic, and technological transformations, which are redefining the international balance of power and requiring democratic powers to increasingly engage in strategic coordination. The meeting took place on the eve of the G7 Summit in Evian and following a series of important diplomatic meetings involving Japanese leaders in Europe. In this context, Rome became the venue for a joint reflection on major international crises and opportunities for cooperation between two countries that, despite their different geographical contexts, share an increasingly convergent vision of global challenges. The meeting also confirmed the strengthening of the personal and political relationship between Meloni and Takaichi, both of whom are the first women in the history of their respective countries to lead the national government. This institutional distinction is accompanied by a significant ideological affinity, as both represent conservative leadership styles geared towards combining political pragmatism, the promotion of national interests, and the strengthening of strategic alliances.
TWO LEADERSHIPS UNITED BY PRAGMATISM AND STRATEGIC VISION
One of the most significant elements that emerged from the summit was the harmony between the two leaders. In addition to their shared experience as the first women to lead their respective governments, Meloni and Takaichi share a political approach characterized by concrete decision-making, attention to national security, and a desire to strengthen their countries’ international role. This convergence has favored the acceleration of numerous bilateral projects launched in previous months, particularly after the Italian Prime Minister’s visit to Tokyo in January 2026. On that occasion, relations between Italy and Japan were elevated to the rank of Special Strategic Partnership, marking a qualitative turning point in cooperation between the two states. This shared vision is reflected in the choice to jointly invest in sectors destined to shape the balance of power in the coming decades, from defense to emerging technologies, from artificial intelligence to space.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY, THE MIDDLE EAST, AND FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION
The dialogue took place just hours after the announcement of the memorandum between the United States and Iran, a step considered crucial to fostering greater regional stability. In this context, Italy and Japan expressed satisfaction with the diplomatic developments and reaffirmed the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime infrastructure essential for global trade and international energy security. Takaichi confirmed Japan’s adherence to the joint declaration promoted by Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, underscoring Tokyo’s commitment to regional peace, freedom of navigation, and the security of maritime lanes.
THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE AND THE DEFENSE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORDER
Another central theme of the summit was the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Italy and Japan reaffirmed their shared condemnation of Russian aggression and support for international law as a fundamental principle of coexistence among states. The two leaders emphasized the need to pursue a just and lasting peace, without ignoring the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and the attacks on civilian infrastructure and sites of historical and cultural significance. Solidarity with Kiev was presented as an essential element of the two nations’ foreign policy and as one of the issues destined to occupy a central position on the G7 agenda.
JAPAN’S DEFENSE AND GEOPOLITICAL REBALANCE
The defense sector is one of the pillars of the new strategic partnership. In a context characterized by growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific and a progressive rethinking of the global security balance, Japan is pursuing a policy of greater strategic autonomy. While maintaining its traditional alliance with the United States, Tokyo appears aware of the need to strengthen its capabilities and diversify its international partnerships. This evolution is part of a broader process of redefining Japan’s role on the global stage. In this context, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), an initiative involving Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom in the development of a sixth-generation fighter, is particularly important. The project represents not only a high-level technological and industrial collaboration, but also a tool for strategic integration between Europe and the Indo-Pacific. The program’s entry into the operational phase confirms the three partners’ commitment to strengthening Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security through advanced defense cooperation.
ECONOMY, TRADE, AND SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY
In parallel with its geopolitical dimension, the Italian-Japanese partnership has a solid economic foundation. Japan remains Italy’s third-largest trading partner in Asia and the second-largest destination for Italian exports to the continent. In 2025, bilateral trade reached €12.3 billion, with a positive balance for Italy of €4.4 billion. In the first quarter of 2026, trade already reached approximately €3 billion, generating an Italian trade surplus of nearly €1 billion. The Italian business presence in Japan is also particularly significant, with 166 companies operating with an estimated total turnover of approximately €3 billion. Economic cooperation has been further strengthened through new institutional instruments. The Italy-Japan Business Group met in Nagoya, while the first meeting of the Bilateral Table on Economic Security took place in Tokyo. This latter body is set to play a key role in strengthening value chains, protecting strategic sectors, and managing vulnerabilities related to critical raw materials and energy supplies.
SPACE AS A NEW FRONTIER OF COOPERATION
One of the most innovative aspects of the partnership concerns the space sector. In May 2026, Tokyo hosted the first session of the new Intergovernmental Dialogue on Space, which subsequently culminated in the adoption of a joint declaration between the two governments. The agreement identifies space as a strategic area capable of impacting scientific research, national security, economic growth, and industrial innovation. The collaboration directly involves the Italian Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, strengthening existing cooperation and expanding it to new areas. Particular attention is paid to lunar exploration within the Artemis Accords, future space stations, activities in low Earth orbit, and collaboration with NASA. Italy and Japan will also work together on the multifunctional lunar habitation module and the pressurized rover intended for missions to the lunar surface.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, SUSTAINABILITY, AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION
The declaration on space further expands the scope of scientific collaboration. The two nations intend to strengthen cooperation in Earth observation, natural hazard management, and satellite data sharing, contributing to the improvement of emergency prevention and response systems. Great importance is also given to solar physics, the SOLAR-C mission, cosmological studies through the LiteBIRD mission, and monitoring of potentially hazardous asteroids. Space sustainability is another pillar of the agreement. Italy and Japan will collaborate to address the growing problem of orbital debris, develop active space debris removal technologies, improve satellite collision avoidance systems, and strengthen situational awareness in space. Investment in skills training and advanced research completes a framework aimed at building innovative ecosystems capable of supporting the industrial competitiveness of both countries.
THE PROSPECTS FOR EUROPE AND THE STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PARTNERSHIP
The evolution of relations between Italy and Japan has implications that go beyond the bilateral dimension. Indeed, it offers important insights for the future of European politics. In an international context marked by competition between great powers, geoeconomic fragmentation, and technological acceleration, Europe is called upon to develop new forms of cooperation with democratic partners outside Europe. The privileged relationship with Japan is a model of this strategy. Collaboration in defense, space, economic security, energy, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and infrastructure demonstrates how it is possible to build a Euro-Indo-Pacific axis based on convergent interests and shared values. Furthermore, the joint initiatives planned in Africa, through the dialogue between the Italian Mattei Plan and the Japanese TICAD program, open new prospects for cooperation with the Global South. 2026, the year of the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Japan, therefore appears to be a symbolic milestone on a journey destined to strengthen further. The convergence between Meloni and Takaichi, combined with the growing integration of their respective national strategies, suggests the possibility of ever-deeper cooperation, capable of influencing not only relations between Rome and Tokyo, but also the evolution of European politics in a rapidly changing international system.