Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met in Tokyo, marking the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During the summit, the leaders announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a “Special Strategic Partnership.“
The two leaders issued a Japan-Italy Joint Statement following their meeting, in which they redefined their ties as a “Special Strategic Partnership” to further promote cooperation across a wide range of sectors. This builds on the existing 2024-2027 Action Plan and reflects shared principles, common interests, and a commitment to upholding the international order based on the rule of law.
Meloni posted an anime-style selfie on social media, saying she felt a sense of “friendship and rapport” with Ms. Takaichi.
Due Nazioni lontane, ma sempre più vicine.
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) January 16, 2026
Amicizia e sintonia con @takaichi_sanae 🇮🇹🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/LbRlnoeQcZ
Key areas of the upgraded partnership include:
- Defence and security, with a focus on advancing the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a trilateral project with the United Kingdom to develop a sixth-generation fighter aircraft targeted for delivery by 2035. The program aims to replace existing aircraft (Eurofighter Typhoon for Britain and Italy, Mitsubishi F-2 for Japan) with a stealth fighter featuring advanced sensors, electronic warfare capabilities, and unmanned combat drone control. Prime Minister Meloni described GCAP as “not only a defence-strengthening project, it is also an industrial and technological strengthening project.”
- Economic security and critical minerals, emphasizing cooperation to strengthen the resilience of supply chains for rare earths and other essential materials used in defence systems, semiconductors, and electric vehicles. Prime Minister Takaichi stated: “We agreed that cooperating to strengthen the resilience of our critical mineral supply chains is of utmost urgency.”
- Cooperation in Africa, aligned with Italy’s Mattei Plan (€5.5 billion initiative launched in 2024 for energy, infrastructure, and mining projects across nine African countries).
The leaders expressed “strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion” in the East and South China Seas, condemned North Korea’s nuclear programs and its military cooperation with Russia, and voiced “deep concern about all forms of economic coercion and the use of non-market policies and practices and the use of export restrictions that disrupt global supply chains.” Bilateral trade in 2024 reached approximately $11.6 billion (around €10 billion), with Italian investment in Japan at €2.36 billion and Japanese investment in Italy exceeding €3.7 billion.
The meeting highlighted the personal rapport between the two leaders, who are the only women heading G7 nations and the first women to lead their respective countries, both from conservative backgrounds. Prime Minister Meloni stated: “I am very happy to be here today in Tokyo, alongside Sanae Takaichi and we have only known each other for a short time, but for us a relationship based on a special rapport was immediately established, and I believe this relationship is quickly becoming a solid friendship on a personal level as well.”
Prime Minister Takaichi welcomed the visit, and the leaders noted their shared experiences in rising to power despite modest backgrounds. The summit included a joint press conference, a working lunch, and gestures such as a birthday toast from Takaichi to Meloni (who turned 49 on January 15), a birthday cake, and gifts including earrings and Hello Kitty souvenirs.
日伊首脳会談等の様子です。 pic.twitter.com/S4DMAqaDTo
— 首相官邸 (@kantei) January 16, 2026
The upgrade occurs amid both countries’ efforts to navigate unpredictable U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump and reduce reliance on certain American defence programs, while addressing regional challenges including tensions with China over Taiwan and critical mineral supplies.
Meloni’s visit to Japan is part of her ongoing Asia tour, with her next stop in South Korea.
The situation underscores growing operational cooperation between Italy and Japan in security, technology, and economic resilience.
