Japan and Italy have agreed on a plan to deepen cooperation over the next three years in key areas such as diplomacy, defense and trade, as Rome aims to intensify engagement in the Indo-Pacific and Tokyo seeks to bolster its network of “like-minded” partners amid shared concerns over rising regional tensions.
Announced by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, Friday on the margins of a three-day Group of Seven leaders’ summit in Italy, the roadmap through 2027 outlines a series of concrete steps and commitments designed to take the countries’ strategic partnership to new heights.
The plan covers issues in seven areas, including diplomacy, defense and security, trade and economic security, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, science and technology as well as food and agriculture.