‘Raw materials, joint stockpiling and defence. Japan and Italia join forces in the Indo-Pacific’
Interview with Deputy Foreign Minister Eri Arfiya: “The agreements on space, energy security, semiconductors and the GCAP confirm that our two countries share common ground and are working in regions of the world where the rule of law prevails”
“Italia is a key partner for Japan. Our two countries have much in common: from the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, to our appreciation of food, community and family,” Japan’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eri Arfiya, told our newspaper, emphasising on several occasions that, in an increasingly complex international context, the shared commitment to these values takes on greater importance. This commitment is aimed at a free and open Indo-Pacific, the protection of an international order based on the rule of law, economic and energy security, and the defence of human rights. “Cooperation with Italia will continue to be a fundamental pillar of our diplomatic action,” she adds, “across a wide range of sectors: security and defence, space, economic security and the strengthening of supply chains.” This refers to joint efforts to promote stability in the Middle East, including freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as energy security. With a focus on relations between Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
Deputy Minister, Italia and Japan share the view that vulnerabilities in supply chains need to be reduced. What forms of cooperation do you envisage in the field of critical raw materials?
‘As you have pointed out, the need to strengthen autonomy and resilience is becoming increasingly urgent in the current international situation. At the Japan–Italia summit held in January this year, Prime Minister Takaichi and Prime Minister Meloni agreed to strengthen cooperation on economic security to improve the resilience of supply chains, including cooperation on critical minerals. At the Japan–Italia summit on 15 June, a memorandum was signed covering the sectors of semiconductors, minerals and advanced technologies. In this way, both countries are working closely together to promote bilateral cooperation in the field of economic security, including the resilience of supply chains. As agreed at the recent G7 Summit, Japan will further strengthen the resilience of supply chains for critical minerals by diversifying supply sources in cooperation with like-minded partners, providing public financial support and engaging in international cooperation on joint stockpiling.”
Does it envisage closer cooperation in satellite technology, Earth observation and telecommunications?
“Japan and Italy are both active in the space sector and possess advanced technologies. Our space agencies, JAXA and ASI, have a long-standing cooperation in various fields, such as missions to the ISS, Earth observation and space science. Furthermore, collaboration between our industries is expanding, as demonstrated by the strategic partnership announced in May between Synspective, a provider of SAR satellite data and analysis solutions, and e-GEOS, an Italian provider of value-added Earth observation services. Space is a crucial sector that forms the basis of the economy, including disaster prevention and mitigation. As both Japan and Italia are countries prone to earthquakes, there is considerable scope for deepening space cooperation across all fields, particularly in Earth observation and disaster risk management.”
