Monica Crowley, White House chief of protocol, left, greets Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon arriving to meet with President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, at the South Portico of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
ROME (Kyodo) — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will make a two-day visit to Japan from Sept. 7, according to her government, with her itinerary expected to include talks with her Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba and a visit to the World Exposition in Osaka.
The trip, however, could be postponed if there are developments in Russia-Ukraine summit talks being arranged by U.S. President Donald Trump with the goal of ending Russia’s invasion, according to Italy’s ANSA news agency.
Meloni’s visit to Japan will be part of a wider trip in Asia starting later this month, which will also take her to South Korea and Vietnam, among other countries.
At their meeting, Ishiba and Meloni are expected to affirm their nations’ shared goal of bringing an end to the war in Ukraine. They will also likely discuss their countries’ response to China’s maritime assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Italy has become increasingly engaged in the Indo-Pacific region in recent years, with its Navy aircraft carrier Cavour making its first port call in Japan last August. Japan and Italy are also working with Britain on a joint project to develop fighter jets.
Meloni’s visit to the expo site in Osaka will come just days ahead of Italy’s “national day” at the event on Sept. 12.
AloJapan.com