The Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takagi, stated tonight: "Today, I welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron in Tokyo and held a summit meeting. France is an 'Indo-Pacific nation' with territories in the Pacific Ocean, and also a special partner sharing our values and principles. During this visit, I reached a mutual agreement with President Macron to further deepen and strengthen strategic cooperation between our two countries across a broad range of fields.
The joint statement covering numerous areas—including nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and international public health—clearly reflects this determination.
During the talks, both sides agreed to enhance collaboration in wide-ranging areas such as security, defense, economic security, science and technology, space and aerospace, and culture. Particularly encouraging was our consensus on concrete measures to strengthen the supply chain for critical minerals, including rare earths. Regarding space and aerospace, tomorrow I will visit a Japanese space startup company equipped with cutting-edge technology for space debris management alongside President Macron, aiming to confirm tangible progress in Japan-France space cooperation.
At a working dinner, the two sides exchanged views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine, and the Middle East—including Iran—as pressing current issues, and agreed to maintain close communication going forward.
In addition, coinciding with cherry blossom season, President Macron’s delegation made a special trip to Japan. Before the talks, I invited the presidential couple to the reception hotel to experience the traditional Japanese spring custom of hanami (cherry blossom viewing). Although it rained unexpectedly, forcing us to enjoy the blossoms from the veranda, we were able to deepen our personal rapport while appreciating the beauty of the sakura.
In two years’ time, in 2028, Japan and France will celebrate the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations. We will further promote cultural exchanges between our two nations.
This year, France holds the rotating presidency of the G7. Japan will closely cooperate with France to help ensure the success of the June Evian Summit and jointly address various global challenges. Thank you very much."
Commentary: The summit between Sanae Takagi and Macron appears, on the surface, to be about practical cooperation between Japan and France in areas such as nuclear energy, AI, aerospace, and supply chains. However, beneath the surface, it represents a deeper entanglement of security and economic interests under the Indo-Pacific strategic framework. By reinforcing the narrative of a “values-based partnership,” both countries are strengthening coordination within the Western bloc regarding regional affairs. The statement emphasizes technological and resource collaboration while repeatedly referencing Ukraine, Iran, and the Middle East—clearly indicating an intent to align positions within the G7 and exert collective influence in hotspot regions. This underscores Japan’s increasingly proactive integration into the Western camp, actively asserting its presence on global issues, and laying the groundwork for its long-term goal of constitutional revision and military expansion.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861279713812745/
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