TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is arranging to meet her Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, in Tokyo for their first in-person summit around Jan. 16, a government source said Friday, as the two countries seek to deepen security cooperation amid growing challenges posed by China and Russia.
Both female leaders with strong conservative credentials, the meeting is also expected to be an opportunity to deepen their personal relationship. Meloni's visit to Japan will be her first since February 2024.
Japan and Italy, along with Britain, are working on the joint development of next-generation fighter jets.
When Takaichi, who became prime minister in October, and Meloni visited South Africa for the Group of 20 leaders' summit last month, they were seen hugging each other.
