Japanese Prime Minister Takashi Kōhata meets UK and Italy leaders, inks AI and defence pact

Japanese Prime Minister Takashi Kōhata arrived in Italy early Monday after a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London. The two leaders issued a joint declaration covering economic security, cooperation on artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, and signed a new partnership to accelerate joint work in these fields. They also pledged to create tens of thousands of jobs and invest up to ¥3.86 trillion.

In Italy, Kōhata met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, discussing further collaboration on the next‑generation fighter‑jet programme and a comprehensive space‑related joint statement. The visits were timed ahead of the G7 summit in France, where Kōhata plans to promote Japan’s three‑pillar approach to energy security and critical‑mineral supply‑chain resilience.