Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is highlighting the successes of her 'diplomacy week' after hosting South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with personal touches. She seeks to build direct relationships with global leaders to advance cooperation on issues involving China and the United States, while using social media to broadcast these diplomatic gains ahead of the House of Representatives election.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan praised the outcomes of her diplomacy week on January 18, following warm receptions for South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The initiative focuses on cultivating personal bonds with international leaders to foster collaboration on matters concerning China and the United States, amplified through social media outreach in anticipation of the upcoming House of Representatives election.
During Tuesday's summit with South Korea, a video of Takaichi and Lee drumming together was shared on the Prime Minister's Office social media channels, amassing over 770,000 likes on Instagram. An aide described it as 'a huge success,' noting favorable reception from the South Korean side.
On Friday, at a joint press event with Meloni, Takaichi celebrated the Italian leader's birthday from the day before by addressing her by her first name and leading applause. At the subsequent luncheon, she presented a surprise cake and performed the birthday song in Italian, which Meloni complimented as 'perfect.' Meloni also viewed the drumming video and called it 'wonderful.'
Both summits underscored commitments to bolster economic security and critical mineral supply chains, with China in focus. A Japanese official remarked, 'With China seeking to isolate Japan, affirming cooperation with these nations while keeping China in mind holds great significance.'
Challenges persist, as Japan-China ties have cooled after Takaichi's parliamentary comments on a Taiwan contingency, prompting China's ban on dual-use goods exports to Japan. Amid uncertainties from U.S. President Donald Trump's diplomacy, Takaichi prioritizes close ties with leaders, including Trump, to safeguard Japan's foreign relations.
This approach doubles as a domestic strategy to highlight diplomatic achievements before the election.
