Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held a meeting and working dinner yesterday evening with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who is on an official visit to Japan. The leaders discussed deepening bilateral cooperation in security, economy, and culture, marking the upcoming 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Key highlights included progress on the joint development of next-generation fighter aircraft under the GCAP program, aiming for delivery by 2035, and Italy’s active engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. Both sides welcomed the recent signing of the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and expressed hope for its swift implementation.
Prime Minister Ishiba also highlighted Italy’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, as an opportunity to boost people-to-people and business exchanges. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to addressing global challenges, including supporting Ukraine’s peace efforts and addressing regional security issues in East Asia.
The meeting underscored the strong and growing partnership between Japan and Italy as strategic allies.
