Taking place in the context that Italy has just taken over the "hot seat" as president of the group of leading industrialized countries in the world (G7) from Japan, the trip is also an opportunity for the two sides to discuss current priorities of this multilateral forum, contributing to the successful organisation of the G7 Summit next June.
At the talks between Japanese PM Fumio Kishida and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Tokyo, the two leaders affirmed that they would promote cooperation for the success of the upcoming G7 Summit in southern Italy. They also discussed the achievements of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima (Japan) in May 2023.
Regarding bilateral cooperation, the two sides stressed the enhancement of cooperation in the fields of security and defence, including the promotion of the trilateral project to develop new generation fighter aircraft with the UK. PM Fumio Kishida said that Japan and Italy are strategic partners sharing the values and principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights.
Giorgia Meloni's trip to the Land of the Rising Sun is a continuation of a series of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Last year, when Japan first assumed the G7 rotating presidency in 2023, PM Fumio Kishida also visited G7 member countries.
In Italy, the two sides agreed to upgrade the relationship between the two countries to the Strategic Partnership and agreed to organise a bilateral security dialogue in a 2+2 format between the foreign and defence ministers of the two countries.
Taking over the G7 presidency in the context of the world facing many emerging and complex challenges, Italy has clearly stated that one of the G7's current priorities is controlling the risks from artificial intelligence (AI).
Giorgia Meloni emphasised that the trip is an opportunity for her to deeply exchange views with Japanese officials to continue the impressive achievements that the Asian country has achieved during her time as G7 president in 2023.
In fact, AI is also a topic of special interest to Tokyo. Led by the host Japan, the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May 2023 marked an important step forward in developing AI regulations in the world.
G7 member countries agreed to the "Hiroshima AI Process" initiative to develop international regulations on this technology.
In late 2023, the G7 published the first set of comprehensive international rules on advanced AI systems, including 12 recommendations to promote the safety, security, and trustworthy development of AI.
In the code of conduct for developer, businesses are encouraged to take measures to minimise risks such as internal testing and testing with independent external experts.
In a recent meeting with his Italian counterpart, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida also welcomed Italy's interest and efforts to expand its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The determination to promote stronger links between Italy and the broader Indo-Pacific region was stressed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the 8th Raisina Dialogue in India.
Meloni clearly stated that the driving force for Rome to promote relations with the Indo-Pacific region is the region’s importance to the Italian economy, both in terms of strategic maritime routes and trade exchanges with regional parties.
With many large economies such as China, India, and Japan, the Indo-Pacific region currently contributes about 60% of the world’s total GDP.
Based on the good strategic partnership between the two countries, the visit to Japan by the head of the Italian Government affirms Italy's desire to tighten the bond with Japan as well as the Indo-Pacific region.
This is also an opportunity for Italy to increase the support of G7 member countries, moving forward to successfully organise the upcoming G7 Summit.
