[Title] Japan-Italy Action Plan Fact Sheet

In June 2024, Japan and Italy announced the Japan-Italy Action Plan, which will serve as a guideline for future cooperation between the two countries in the framework of their Strategic Partnership.

Prime Minister of Japan, ISHIBA Shigeru, and President of the Italian Republic, Sergio MATTARELLA, met in Tokyo on March 5th, 2025, and concurred on the importance of further strengthening cooperation between the two countries under the Action Plan toward the 160th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2026, and proactively promoting the implementation of initiatives to deepen exchanges between the people of the two countries. The two sides also welcomed the progress that has been made so far in the following sectors, based on the Action Plan.

1 Diplomacy

- Under the leadership of Italy as the G7 Presidency in 2024, the Government representatives and diplomatic authorities of the two sides held closer consultations on the situations in Ukraine, the Middle East, Indo-Pacific including their policies towards North Korea such as those on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, and Africa, as well as on global issues. Furthermore, bearing in mind the increasingly important role that Italy is playing in Europe, the two sides held discussions on promoting cooperation between Japan and the EU.

2 Defense and Security

- The two sides further enhanced their collaboration in the field of defense and security, through multiple initiatives and bilateral/multilateral training missions aimed at increasing interoperability.

- In August 2024, the Carrier Strike Group (aircraft carrier "Cavour", frigate "Alpino", and multi-purpose combat ship "Montecuccoli") and the training ship "Amerigo Vespucci" made a port call in Japan. In the same month, the bilateral/multilateral exercises "Rising Sun 24" and "Noble Raven 24-3" were conducted. Also in August, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Training Squadron "Kashima" and "Shimakaze" made a port call in Naples, while the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Training Squadron and the Italian frigate "Margottini" conducted the Japan- Italy Goodwill exercise in the Aegean Sea.

- In November 2024, the "Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Italian Republic Concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Armed Forces of the Italian Republic" (Japan-Italy ACSA) was signed, establishing a framework to facilitate settlement procedures for the reciprocal provision of supplies and services.

- In December 2024, the Convention on the Establishment of the "Global Combat Air Programme - GCAP International Government Organisation" (the GIGO Establishment Convention) entered into force, and Mr. OKA Masami, former Vice- Minister of Defense for International Affairs of Japan, was appointed as the first Chief Executive of the GIGO.

- In January 2025, paratroopers of the Italian Army participated in the multilateral airborne event "New Year Jump in Indo-Pacific 2025" for the first time.

- In February 2025, the two sides held Military-to-Military Dialogue in Japan.

- Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilots continued to participate in the Italian Air Force Flight Training Course organized by the International Flight Training School (IFTS).

3 Economy

- Looking at the Italy-Japan Business Group (IJBG) Joint Conference scheduled in Rome in May 2025, initiatives have been implemented to further promote business matching between companies, including startups, through JETRO and ITA.

- At the LNG Producer-Consumer Conference in October 2024, the Italian Ministry for Environment and Energy Security (MASE) and the Japanese Agency for Natural Resources and Energy confirmed comprehensive cooperation regarding LNG, and discussions are underway to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation. At the same conference, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between ENI (the leading Italian energy company) and JOGMEC (Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security) with the aim of expanding cooperation in strengthening gas security and supporting the diversification of LNG supply and procurement, including cooperation in the event of an emergency.

- In February 2025, JETRO provided part of the exhibition fees as a support for Milano Unica, promoting cooperation in the textile industry.

- The two sides worked together to promote EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai and the Italy Pavilion at various events.

- An Initiative on attracting investments in Italy was organized on the occasion of the arrival of the Italian Naval training ship "Amerigo Vespucci" in Tokyo in August 2024 and was led by the Deputy Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Valentino Valentini.

4 Cultural and People-to-People Exchange

- Through holding Japan-related exhibitions such as the Ukiyo-e Exhibition (in Rome and Pisa) and the Yoshitaka Amano Exhibition (in Lucca and Milan), the two sides promoted artistic and cultural exchanges, including contemporary art.

- In August 2024, the Japan-Italy Film Co-Production Agreement came into effect, and the two sides started coordinating projects for co-production based on the Agreement.

- In order to ensure the prompt entry into force of the Japan-Italy Working Holiday Agreement and promote exchanges between young people utilizing the agreement, the two sides steadily advanced the necessary procedures.

- Taking advantage of the momentum of the G7 Ministers' Meeting on Tourism and taking into account the direct flights connecting Japan and Italy by ANA and by ITA Airways, the two sides exchanged views to promote tourism.

- Sports exchanges between Japan and Italy have been promoted to be furtherstrengthened on the occasions of the upcoming Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025, 25th Summer Deaflympics Tokyo 2025, World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, and the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

5 Cooperation in Academic, Scientific and Technical Fields

- Regarding research collaboration, two large projects were launched in 2024. An Italian research team lead by CNR and two Japanese research teams participating in the "Green Technologies of Excellence (GteX)" Program implemented by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) are promoting research collaboration on energy storage technologies. The Italian Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) and the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research at the University of Tokyo (ICRR) are conducting joint research on low-temperature technology and low-temperature mirror suspension devices for the Einstein Telescope.

- The Italian CNR and the Japanese JSPS are bringing forward concrete research collaborations and are committed to renewing their Memorandum of Cooperation in 2025.

- In 2024, several research institutes and Universities from both countries held symposiums and workshops on topics of mutual interest, including space and aerospace, life science, mobility and automotive, green energy and hydrogen, semiconductors, sustainable food, robotics, and economic security.

- Under their existing Memorandum of Cooperation, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) have been carrying out their cooperation in disaster risk management and in the CALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) on the International Space Station, as well as discussing further collaboration opportunities in the field of space science.

- In order to support the implementation of infrastructure projects, Japan and Italy have been holding working-level consultations on the technical cooperation in the field of construction, operation and maintenance of long-span bridges.

6 Food and Agriculture

- In September 2024, the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests of the Italian Republic in the area of Agriculture and Food was signed.