Takaichi, Macron Hold Summit Talks in Tokyo

Tokyo, April 1 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and French President Emmanuel Macron held a meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday, discussing ways to help ease Middle East tensions early amid fighting between the U.S.-Israeli side and Iran. At the bilateral summit held at the State Guest House in Tokyo’s Minato Ward, the two leaders are also expected to exchange views on issues related to economic security, such as deepening cooperation on diversifying supply chains for rare earths and other critical minerals. Calming the Middle East situation at an early time is important, Takaichi said at the start of the meeting. Macron said that France and Japan can cooperate closely over the Iran crisis. Serving as this year’s chair of the Group of Seven major countries, France is scheduled to host a G-7 summit in June. The G-7 groups Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States plus the European Union. Macron has signaled reluctance about military involvement over the Iran situation and is therefore at odds with U.S. President Donald Trump. Takaichi and Macron are therefore likely to discuss their countries’ relations with the United States. The Japanese and French leaders are also expected to talk about how to respond to China, which is intensifying military and economic pressure on Japan. Macron is visiting Japan for the first time since May 2023, when he attended a G-7 summit in the western city of Hiroshima. At Wednesday’s meeting, Takaichi and Macron are slated to adopt a joint statement after affirming cooperation in the fields of economic security, defense, and science and technology. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]