JAPAN PERSPECTIVE

Tokyo, June 15, 2026. Few G7 summits have carried greater weight for Tokyo. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in office since October 2025, arrives in France following a carefully calibrated European tour—London first, Rome second—and a bilateral schedule already packed before the summit's formal opening.

In London, Takaichi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sealed an economic and technology agreement valued at more than 18 billion British pounds (approximately $24 billion). Ten-plus trade agreements were signed at 10 Downing Street, including a $9 billion offshore wind project. Both nations launched the UK-Japan Frontier Tech Partnership, focused on artificial intelligence and semiconductors, linking Britain's Semiconductor Centre with Japanese chipmaker Rapidus. On defense, London and Tokyo reaffirmed joint commitment to the GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme), developing a next-generation fighter jet by 2035 alongside Italy.

These agreements were coordinated with Rome during Takaichi's Italy visit, where she met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to consolidate trilateral GCAP cooperation ahead of the G7 opening. According to News On Japan, Takaichi stated: "We will advance discussions at the G7 in areas such as energy security and strengthening critical mineral supply chains."

Energy anchors Japan's strategy at Evian. Kyodo News reports that Takaichi arrived with the objective of presenting her "three energy security principles," designed to place supply-chain resilience and critical mineral security at the core of the G7 agenda. This positioning reflects a global energy crisis that Kyodo News describes as "the worst since the 1970s."

The US-Iran agreement announced by Donald Trump on June 15, providing for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to military operations, resonates directly for Tokyo. Japan depends heavily on the Persian Gulf for oil and liquefied natural gas imports. The reported drop in Brent crude of 4 percent and WTI of more than 4.6 percent represents relief for a Japanese economy strained by strait closures in recent months. However, uncertainties persist: the US and Iran remain at odds over transit rights in the strait, and formal memorandum signing is expected Friday in Switzerland.

The Ukraine conflict remains a sensitive issue. Zelensky is expected in Evian, but according to Japan Today, no bilateral meeting with Trump is currently planned. Tokyo, a US ally and declared supporter of Kyiv, will closely monitor any developments in the Ukrainian file at the summit's margins.

On the sidelines of Evian, thousands of protesters disrupted Geneva on Sunday, hurling stones and firecrackers at police who responded with tear gas, echoing 2003 G8 tensions.