ROME -- Giorgia Meloni met with the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, on Monday in Tokyo to discuss security and trade. The two leaders have said that they look to strengthen economic ties as well as maintain cooperation in defence programmes that will see Italy increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

 Kishida welcomed Meloni’s plan to increase the Italian military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, as Japan looks to counter China’s growing presence in the area and tensions between Taiwan and the mainland rise.

 The two countries are already working together, alongside the U.K., to develop a new fighter jet ready for deployment in 2035. However, Japan currently has a ban on exporting jointly developed lethal weapons to third countries, because of World War II, which Kishida is currently trying to ease.

 This meeting also comes with economic benefits for both countries, with Japanese company NTT Data opening new bases in Puglia and Sicily. The existing bases in Rome, Naples, Turin and Cosenza will also see increased investment from Japan.

 Meloni also met with representatives from Mitsubishi heavy industries, Hitachi and the Denso corporation, hoping to attract more Japanese investments to Italy.

 Meloni said that “the trade between Italy and Japan is over 15 billion euros” and she hopes to see this figure increase. Kishida also noted that direct flights from Milan to Tokyo will be starting in the second half of the year, promoting good relationships between the two countries even more.

 This comes ahead of the G7 summit in June, which will be held in Puglia. Italy took over G7 leadership this year from Japan.

 Kishida thanked Meloni for her visit, saying “Japan and Italy are valuable, strategic partners.”

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