Macron to Meet Sanae Takaichi During Japan Visit, Focusing on Middle East and Energy Crisis | WPN World People News

French President **Emmanuel Macron** is currently visiting Japan and is scheduled to hold talks on the 1st with Japanese Prime Minister **Sanae Takaichi**. Although the trip was originally intended to deepen cooperation in nuclear energy and space, the worsening U.S.–Iran situation has shifted the focus toward the Middle East crisis, with both sides seeking solutions to ongoing conflicts.

Macron began his four-day Asia tour on the 31st, aiming to strengthen strategic alliances with Japan and South Korea. This marks his fourth visit to Japan, during which he will hold a summit meeting and “2+2” defense consultations with Prime Minister Takaichi. He will then travel to Seoul for a summit with President **Lee Jae-myung** to commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and South Korea. In addition to attending a luncheon with the Japanese Emperor and Empress, Macron is leading a delegation of over 350 French companies. Building on shared Indo-Pacific strategic consensus, the parties are expected to sign substantive cooperation agreements covering key areas such as economic security, artificial intelligence, space technology, and next-generation nuclear energy development.

During the summit on the 1st, France and Japan reached a consensus to jointly formulate a roadmap for the procurement of critical minerals, aiming to diversify supply sources and establish a rare earth supply chain “independent of China.” To this end, both sides confirmed continued efforts to build a rare earth refining plant in southwestern France, with the goal of beginning operations by the end of 2026 to meet demand for heavy rare earths used in electric vehicle (EV) motors. The joint statement also expressed concern over the potential negative impact of export controls on minerals, implicitly pointing to supply monopolies by specific countries. In addition, the two nations are actively strengthening public-private cooperation in the space sector, with plans to sign 12 memoranda of understanding across five major areas, including space debris removal, rocket launches, and satellite communications. By boosting both government and private investment, they aim to comprehensively enhance their international competitiveness.

This visit is not merely a routine diplomatic trip but a strategic move by France and Japan to respond to global instability. Japan faces energy pressure, relying on the Middle East for as much as 95% of its oil. As fellow G7 members, both countries are actively promoting “de-risking” and placing economic security at the top of their agenda. Macron views Japan and South Korea as key partners in the Indo-Pacific region and seeks to reduce dependence on both the United States and China. He has also advocated the concept of a “buyers’ club,” whereby reliable partners collectively procure strategic materials to counter China’s supply dominance and ensure the stability and security of supply chains amid energy tensions and geopolitical conflicts.