[Provisional translation]
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 contribute more actively to the peace and security of the international community.
Q2. Japan and Italy were both compelled to review their respective development models following China’s accession to the WTO and the resulting “inflow” of low-priced products from China. Japan and Italy also share concerns over China’s dominance in global markets for critical minerals essential to advanced technologies. As China’s business practices have been criticized as examples of “economic coercion,” Japan and Italy have agreed to cooperate in strengthening the resilience of critical mineral supply chains. In your view, how urgent is it to build reliable European alternatives to dependence on China for critical minerals?
Amid the current severe international situation, while recognizing that countries are bound together by complex interdependence, the need to enhance the autonomy and resilience necessary to determine our own future has become even greater. In particular, securing a stable supply of critical minerals is indispensable for both Japan and Italy to enhance their strategic autonomy and resilience.
When Prime Minister Meloni visited Japan in January this year, the Prime Minister and I jointly published a joint op-ed entitled “Japan and Italy must help shape the future global order” pointing out the necessity for Japan and Italy to stand against unfair economic practices. In it, we expressed our shared recognition that it has become indispensable to make supply chains more resilient, secure, and able to withstand external shocks, and we stated our determination to stand against unfair economic practices that distort markets.
At the summit meeting in January this year, Prime Minister Meloni and I also confirmed that Japan and Italy would further strengthen cooperation in the field of economic security, including the diversification and strengthening of critical mineral supply chains. Based on this, we began discussions on concrete cooperation at the first Japan-Italy Economic Security Dialogue, held in Tokyo on May 27.
Beyond such bilateral cooperation, in the G7, of which both Japan and Italy are members, we have shared serious concerns over economic coercion and non-market policies and practices, including export controls on critical minerals, and confirmed that we will respond in a coordinated manner. I would like to have in-depth discussions on these points at the upcoming G7 Evian Summit.
In this way, we would like to steadily advance concrete cooperation through various opportunities with Italy, with whom Japan shares a common vision of reducing dependence on specific countries.
Q3. Today, China is not only a major military power but is also increasingly demonstrating its military capabilities beyond East Asia. You have made clear that Japan does not intend to stand idly by in the face of aggression that threatens regional security. What concrete measures is Japan taking to go beyond its highly defensive posture? Also, despite strong domestic opposition, can Japan revise its pacifist Constitution and focus on rearmament?
Since the end of World War II, Japan has consistently contributed to the peace and prosperity of the international community. Japan’s position of complying with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, and continuing to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law is well known in the international community, and this position will not change. The Government of Japan maintains an exclusively defense-oriented policy as its basic policy on defense, and with regard to the right of collective self-defense recognized under the Charter of the United Nations, Japan’s domestic law defines in a limited manner the situations in which it may be exercised.
At the same time, China and North Korea are further strengthening their military capabilities, while countries are urgently preparing for new ways of warfare, including the mass use of unmanned systems, as well as for prolonged conflicts. Changes in the security environment are occurring at an accelerating pace across various fields. In light of this situation, it is necessary for Japan to proactively and fundamentally reinforce its defense capabilities. As a first step, Japan brought forward the achievement of the defense budget to be at a “level of 2 percent of GDP” set out in the current National Security Strategy, and measures to that effect were taken in the previous fiscal year.
The foundation of Japan’s security policy consists of the three strategic documents: the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy, and the Defense Buildup Program. In order to protect the lives and livelihoods of the Japanese people, we will build concrete and realistic discussions based on the current security environment, revise these three documents within this year, and move forward with a realistic and resilient security policy. This is a response to the most severe and complex security environment Japan has faced since the end of World War II, and is not directed at any specific country.
Q4. The crisis in the Middle East is having a serious impact on advanced industrialized countries as a whole. Like Italy, Japan lacks raw materials and energy resources, but unlike Italy, Japan has decided to resume investment in nuclear power after reconsidering its policy following the accident in Fukushima. From the perspective of realizing a desirable future of energy independence, what lessons can Japan offer Italy?
Japan is poor in energy resources and faces geographical constraints, with its land full of mountains and surrounded by the deep seas. For this reason, based on experiences such as the oil crises of the 1970s, Japan has worked to secure a stable energy supply by thoroughly promoting energy conservation and by advancing diversification so as not to depend excessively on any particular energy source, including through the use of renewable energy, nuclear power, and thermal power.
In this context, with regard in particular to nuclear power, which is aforementioned, Japan’s policy is to make maximum use of it as an important option, together with renewable energy. Based on the lessons learned from the accident following the Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan is proceeding on the premise that safety must be secured and the understanding of local communities obtained. On that basis, we believe that nuclear power is extremely important as a power source that contributes to energy security and has a high decarbonization effect, and that its use is indispensable.
The essence of Japan’s energy policy has consistently been to maintain a state in which multiple energy sources can be utilized, while achieving the optimal balance among a stable energy supply, economic efficiency, and environmental suitability. In light of the current situation in the Middle East, uncertainty over the international energy situation is expected to increase further. Even under such circumstances, it is becoming all the more important to continue securing diverse energy sources and procurement sources based on technological neutrality, without depending excessively on any particular energy source. Japan will accelerate the development and installation of next-generation advanced reactors and its efforts toward demonstration power generation using fusion energy in the 2030s, ahead of the rest of the world.
Q5. The United States has traditionally been the cornerstone of Western security policy. We are aware that the United States is reconsidering its presence and role within the alliances that have guaranteed peace and freedom until now. What role can Japan and Italy play in the future global balance of power?
Japan and Italy share fundamental values and principles, and strengthening strategic cooperation, including in the security field, is extremely important for ensuring peace and stability in the regions and the international community as a whole.
For Japan, while the Japan-U.S. Alliance remains the cornerstone of our foreign and security policy, we also intend to further strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries, including Italy, and play an active role in the peace and stability of the region and the international community.
Amid the increasingly severe international situation, it is important for countries to strengthen the autonomy and resilience necessary to determine their own future. Based on this idea, last month I announced the updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). Going forward, under the updated FOIP as well, I would like to work with Italy to advance concrete cooperation.
Q6. The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the joint development of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft by Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom, has become the most concrete symbol of the new defense cooperation between Japan and Italy. It is understood that the aim is to deploy the first operational aircraft by 2035. How would you respond to lawmakers in Italy and Japan who question the financial sustainability of this project? Are there plans to expand the partnership to other countries, such as Germany?
The GCAP is a project that will serve as a foundation for broad cooperation among Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom. By undertaking this project as a joint development, the three countries can bring together their respective technologies, share development costs and risks, and develop an outstanding fighter aircraft that will ensure future air superiority.
The GCAP has been advanced with cooperation with allies and like-minded countries of Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom Italy in mind. Regarding cooperation with third countries as well, Japan will work together with Italy and the United Kingdom to make the GCAP an even better program.
Q7. You are the first woman in Japanese history to assume the office of Prime Minister, and Giorgia Meloni is the first woman to lead the Italian Government. Do you think women’s leadership is changing the way foreign policy is conducted? What message would you send to young women in Japan and Italy?
For my part, while I had aspired to become Prime Minister, I did not aim to become the first female Prime Minister. Therefore, I go about my daily work without being particularly conscious of that point. Even so, if there are people who feel encouraged by the fact that one so-called “glass ceiling” has been broken, I would be very pleased and honored.
Beyond the “glass ceiling,” there is also the “glass cliff.” This refers to the phenomenon in which women are more likely to be placed in leadership positions when an organization is in crisis, in other words, in situations where failure is more likely. When failure actually occurs, it can lead to the prejudice that women are not suited to leadership. I want to work hard and produce results in order to sweep away such notions.
Promoting women’s active participation and realizing a gender-equal society are extremely important for building a society in which everyone can feel a sense of purpose in life and where individuality and diversity are respected. I will do my utmost so that women in Japan and around the world can walk the paths they have chosen with confidence and vitality.
When Prime Minister Meloni visited Japan in January, I clearly remember that she spoke of the great honor as well as the heavy responsibility of being a female leader. She also noted the Japanese word “ganbaru,” which means doing more than one’s best, and referred to the attitude of continuing to challenge one’s own limits and never being satisfied with the status quo. Together with world leaders, including Prime Minister Meloni, who is likewise the first woman to lead the Italian Government, I would like to “ganbaru” in order to make the world of today and tomorrow a better place.
Q8. Another common challenge for Japan and Italy is the declining birthrate. In this regard, Japan has made clear that it does not intend to solve this issue through the acceptance of immigrants. Italy, like many European countries, has chosen this path. What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches?
We recognize the declining birthrate as an important challenge that will lead to a decline in the domestic labor force in the future. In addressing this challenge, it is first important to work steadily to raise the domestic labor force participation rate and improve productivity through automation and other means.
With regard to foreign workers, Japan’s policy is to actively accept foreign nationals in professional and technical fields, as this contributes to the revitalization of Japan’s economy and society, while considering acceptance in other fields based on national consensus.
It is true that with accepting a large number of foreign nationals it can be expected to put a certain brake on the decline in the domestic labor force caused by the falling birthrate. However, accepting a large number of foreign nationals without adequate arrangements for their reception, and under systems that are not able to respond to an increase in foreign residents, could give rise to confusion and friction in various areas, including society, the economy, employment, education, medical care, welfare, local communities and public safety.
The number of foreign nationals residing in Japan, including not only foreign workers but also their families and others, has been increasing year by year. Looking to the future, the Government of Japan is therefore conducting detailed examinations, from multiple perspectives including social security and education, of the benefits of accepting foreign nationals as well as the challenges associated with such acceptance, and is advancing consideration of the basic approach toward the form of acceptance that is optimal for Japan.