Takaichi Approaches Middle Powers

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi embarked on her trip to Europe to participate in Group of Seven (G7) summit meeting in Evian, France, and to have bilateral meetings with world leaders in the backdrop of the event. Before arriving France, Takaichi made visits to the United Kingdom and Italy to strengthen ties with the leaders of those countries. Main topic with them were securing supply chain in this volatile world order and joint development of defense equipment. 

In the meeting with the U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Takaichi showed her determination to maintain international economic security, namely to keep supply chain of crucial minerals working. Both leaders expressed grave concerns on economic coercion and arbitrary export restrictions including on crucial minerals. The “economic coercion” and “export restrictions” implies a trade strategy exercised by China. Takaichi has exacerbated Japan’s bilateral relations with China with her irregular comment on contingency around Taiwan.

 

Both leaders of Japan and the U.K. expected acceleration in developing next-generation fighter aircrafts. Both countries have been promoting trilateral project including Italy to replace current fighter jets with their technological cooperation, which is named Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). They reconfirmed to have next contract between GIGO, an international organization by those three governments, and the joint venture Edgewing by the end of June. Takaichi embraces economic growth strategy through investment in military equipment.

 

The GCAP must be the very reason for Takaichi to choose London and Rome to visit before attending the G7 summit. Takaichi agreed with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on accelerating GCAP, as well as enhancement of bilateral cooperation for “strengthening of supply chain resilience.” Supply chain and defense equipment have been two core issues in the series of diplomacy Takaichi had with leaders of Vietnam, Australia, South Korea and the Philippines in May.

 

It is still unclear whether Japan is going to get rid of its dependence on the United States  over its national security and economy by enhancing ties with countries called “middle power.” Although Takaichi’s political mentor, former prime minister Shinzo Abe, called the U.S. “indispensable ally” and Takaichi is willing to retain that concept, it is obvious that she is exploring to extend the wing of alliance. In the meetings with leaders, Takaichi called Australia and the U.K. “quasi-ally.”

 

That does not mean Japan’s walking out of close alliance with the U.S. It is undeniable that Japan relies on security and diplomatic capability of the U.S. Takaichi pledged 550 billion dollars of investment to the U.S. as a deal for reducing tariffs on Japanese products and making effort to accumulate defense budget to meet Donald Trump’s demand for its allies to take care of their defense by themselves. She has yet found fiscal resource for that surge of defense budget. 

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