Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Japan takes place at a moment of political and strategic convergence between Rome and Tokyo that goes beyond the traditional strengthening of bilateral relations. What makes it particularly significant is the political profile of the two leaders and the international context in which the visit unfolds.
Why it matters: “Italy and Japan find themselves in a complementary position within their respective regions of primary interest: two prime ministers, Giorgia Meloni and Sanae Takaichi, with strong personalities and political backgrounds that are similar in many respects, who have demonstrated an ability to work with U.S. President Donald Trump and who, partly for this reason, have an important voice on key issues of regional security and political transformation in Europe and the Indo-Pacific,” explains Alessio Patalano, Professor of East Asian Strategy at King’s College London and Co-Director of the Centre for Grand Strategy.
The Personal feeling. This complementarity, Patalano argues, is also reflected at the personal and diplomatic level.
- “It is therefore not surprising that both leaders were keen to display a certain chemistry when they first met (on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly last September). In a world where international politics increasingly requires personal relationships to move sensitive dossiers forward at an accelerated pace, political affinity gives diplomacy an extra gear.”
Security matters. Is the security dossier destined to occupy a central position? “Exactly: in light of the attention devoted to expanding cooperation in defence and security, it cannot be ruled out that the visit will allow the formalisation of relations around GCAP (the Global Combat Air Programme that Rome and Tokyo share with London to develop a next-generation air combat platform centred on a sixth-generation fighter),” Patalano replies.
- He adds: “But there are also new joint exercises and logistical support on the table, as well as potential bilateral security dialogue frameworks, similar to those Japan has already established with other leading European countries—particularly the 2+2 format.”
The geoeconomic dimension. Alongside the strategic dimension, the economic and geoeconomic one also remains highly relevant, the King’s College professor stresses.
- “From an economic perspective, Africa and the Indian Ocean are two areas of shared interest where greater coordination can be expected. It is also reasonable to anticipate renewed announcements addressing supply chain issues, a theme already highlighted in the 2024 Action Plan.”
Takaechi’s political challenge. Meloni’s visit comes at a particular moment. Japan’s prime minister is expected to call early elections, according to statements by her coalition partner, in an effort to translate her strong public approval ratings into a clear parliamentary majority for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
- “About the issue of early elections,” Patalano notes, “it is worth recalling that bilateral relations experienced a period of renewal under the Abe administration, and I expect that trajectory to continue regardless of any electoral surprises.”
- Worth noting: “It was precisely in the wake of the successful 2012 elections that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was able to relaunch Japan’s foreign policy and, in that context, set in motion an unprecedented expansion of bilateral relations in recent history.”
The bottom line: Overall, Patalano concludes, the Japan leg of Meloni’s Asia tour represents a key moment not only for strengthening bilateral ties, but also for Italy’s positioning within the strategic dynamics of the Indo-Pacific, at a time of profound transformation in global power balances.
