TOKYO: The leaders of Japan and Italy on Monday expressed desire to enhance bilateral cooperation in security and defence sectors including development of their joint next-generation fighter jet with Britain.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, after a meeting with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, welcomed Italy’s decision to increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
In recent months Italy’s warships have made several visits to the region including its strike group, and joint exercises are scheduled this year.
“Japan and Italy are valuable strategic partners that share values and principles such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” Kishida said.
Kishida also lauded progress in their joint development of a new advanced fighter jet with Britain.
The three nations in December signed an agreement to setup a joint organization to develop a new advanced jet fighter for deployment in 2035.
Japan, which is swiftly building up its military, hopes to have greater ability to counter China’s rising dominance while welcoming Britain’s larger presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Italy recently quit China’s global Belt and Road Initiative after seeing little benefit from the project.
Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy, Britain’s BAE Systems PLC and Italy’s Leonardo, are involved in the development of joint fighter jet.
However, the project, hinges on Japan easing its postwar ban on exporting jointly developed lethal arms to other countries, which Kishida’s government is trying to finalize by the end of February. He also promised a full support to Meloni to successfully convene their Puglia summit in June.
