Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended her first G20 Summit in Johannesburg, actively engaging with world leaders to elevate Japan's profile. She posted updates on X late Saturday, including a photo hugging Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. On the first day alone, she met with 18 leaders.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took part in her first Group of 20 Summit over the weekend, sought to raise Japan’s profile by actively working to get closer to other world leaders gathered in Johannesburg.
On late Saturday evening, the prime minister posted on X, formerly Twitter, a brief report on her activities at the summit, along with four photos, including one showing her in a friendly hug with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Takaichi and Meloni had already appeared friendly earlier that Saturday, when they exchanged greetings at the start of a discussion on peace in Ukraine among relevant countries, held on short notice during a summit break.
On the first day of the summit alone, Takaichi talked with 18 leaders from participating countries and international organizations. She held her first face-to-face meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, discussing reinforcing security cooperation as well as international affairs, including China-related issues. On Sunday, she held talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In recent years, the significance of G20 meetings has waned as agreements have become harder to reach due to the large number of participants. However, it remains a vital opportunity to build relationships with Global South countries, whose influence continues to grow.
“The prime minister is quickly strengthening her connections with many other leaders,” said Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki, who accompanied Takaichi on the trip.