Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi defended her absence from a Group of Seven online meeting, stating it was a last-minute arrangement that allowed for substitute representatives. She noted that other leaders, including the UK Prime Minister and the European Council President, also did not attend in person. Takaichi was at her residence during the meeting, which focused on coordinating a response to diesel prices.
Prime Minister Takaichi's absence from a G7 meeting, despite an open schedule, raises questions about Japan's engagement in international coordination on critical issues like energy prices. Her defense highlights a pattern of prioritizing solo work and written communication over in-person participation in international forums, potentially impacting Japan's diplomatic presence and influence.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has defended her decision to skip a Group of Seven online meeting, responding to critics who questioned her absence despite an apparently free schedule. Takaichi stated on social media that the meeting, arranged by France, was last-minute and permitted substitute representatives.
She noted that other leaders, including UK Prime Minister Burnham and European Council President Costa, also did not attend in person, with substitutes filling in for them. Takaichi was at her residence and not meeting with anyone during the meeting, which took place Friday night. Her post highlighted her preference for working solo from home, a pattern observed since she became prime minister.
The meeting's agenda focused on coordinating a response to diesel prices in Europe and the U.S. Takaichi indicated that Japan has already been releasing reserves and has no plans for new measures at this time, stating the outcome was a decision to implement a coordinated release of 100 million barrels of oil reserves. Kazuya Endo, the deputy minister for foreign affairs, represented Japan at the call.
This is not the first time Takaichi has opted out of such meetings. In April, she issued a written message instead of attending an online meeting on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with Keiichi Ichikawa, a senior diplomat, attending in her place. An analysis of her official schedule through July showed she met Finance Ministry officials 50% less often than previous leaders and held the fewest Cabinet office meetings of any prime minister in 14 years.
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