Japan-Italy Boost Semiconductor Supply Chain Resilience

Takaichi promotes Japan-Italy cooperation on economic security, critical minerals, and semiconductor supply chains.

[Written Interview with Prime Minister Takaichi by Corriere della Sera on the Occasion of Her Visit to Italy] Q1. You have built a strong relationship of trust with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, and this year marks the 160th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy. What are the essential values and principles shared by the two governments? In what areas can cooperation and joint efforts be further deepened? Japan and Italy are like-minded countries that share fundamental values and principles such as freedom, democracy, respect for fundamental human rights, and the rule of law, and we share a common vision of upholding a free, fair and open international order. As G7 members, we also cooperate in a wide range of areas. With the aim of bringing Japan-Italy cooperation, which share such values and principles, to a new level, we announced the Japan-Italy Action Plan on the occasion of the G7 Apulia Summit in June 2024. Cooperation in various fields has been steadily progressing in line with this Action Plan, and during Prime Minister Meloni’s visit to Japan in January this year, our bilateral relationship was redefined as a “special strategic partnership,” with the aim of taking it to even greater heights. One area in which our two countries can further strengthen cooperation is economic security. For example, deepening cooperation to diversify and strengthen the resilience of supply chains, including those for critical minerals and semiconductors, is a matter of shared interest. In the economic field, I would also like to promote trade and investment between Japan and Italy and further advance cooperation between companies. Cooperation is also moving forward in the field of space. For example, there is significant potential for Japan-Italy cooperation in the utilization of space in the scientific, security, commercial, and industrial fields, including measures to address space debris. These points were discussed at the first Japan-Italy Space Dialogue, held in Tokyo in May this year. Cooperation is expected in the field of quantum technologies as well based on the common vision of the G7, centered on international collaboration, including standardization. In addition, cooperation in fusion energy is advancing through the ITER project, while science and technology cooperation between our two countries is also progressing in areas such as AI robotics, biomanufacturing and in the volcanology and seismology fields. Such cooperation on advanced technologies will greatly contribute to the growth and development of both countries in this age of technological innovation. Amid the increasingly complex and uncertain international situation, Japan-Italy cooperation in the field of defense and security has also become extremely important. Japan and Italy share the recognition that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific is inseparable, as well as the will to work toward the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). We would like to further deepen our cooperation with Italy in order to co