Key facts
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended the G7 summit in Evian, France.
- Takaichi aims to use her relationship with Donald Trump to bridge divides within the G7.
- She proposed a joint strategic stockpile partnership for critical minerals.
- The initiative seeks to strengthen supply chains and reduce China's dominance in the sector.
- Takaichi emphasized the importance of expressing Japan's position and the Indo-Pacific perspective.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's participation in the G7 summit in Evian, France, is focused on fostering unity among the bloc's leaders, particularly by leveraging her relationship with US President Donald Trump. Takaichi also put forward a proposal for a joint strategic stockpile partnership aimed at bolstering critical mineral supply chains and challenging China's market dominance.
Ahead of the summit, Takaichi stated her intention to engage in frank discussions with fellow leaders to showcase the G7's collective strength in addressing international challenges. She also highlighted her eagerness to represent Japan's perspective from the Indo-Pacific region.
According to Rintaro Nishimura of The Asia Group, Takaichi's presence is expected to help mitigate friction between Trump and other G7 leaders, who have voiced concerns over US trade tariffs and foreign policy. Nishimura noted Takaichi's positive relationships with G7 nations and her efforts to deepen cooperation with European partners on defense and economic security.