(ANSA) – TOKYO, 04 APR – The Italian Cultural Institute in Tokyo hosted an important meeting with two protagonists from the world of journalism and academia: journalist and writer Federico Rampini and Saho Matsumoto, professor at Nihon University and expert on the role of religion in national and international politics, with a solid knowledge of Vatican diplomacy and US politics.
During the conversation, the two experts explored future scenarios for their respective countries, Italy and Japan, in particular the challenges that the US protectionist policy could bring to their economies, both characterised by strong exports. In fact, a special focus was devoted to the very recent tariff policies adopted by Donald Trump and the possible consequences from a geopolitical point of view, with particular attention to the impact on strategic sectors such as automotive and technology. The dialogue then touched on the topics of defence, military spending and the possible rearmament of Europe and Japan, amidst public disapproval and growing international pressure. As a result of escalating global tensions and increased military investment by countries such as China and Russia, Europe is facing a heated debate on whether to strengthen its defence capability, as evidenced by the recent announcement of the creation of a joint European army. In parallel, in Japan, the government is considering a further increase in the defence budget, marking a departure from the pacifist policy enshrined in the post-war Constitution. The speakers discussed the possible implications of these changes on international balances and the future of relations between Europe, the US and Asia. Under the previous US administration of Joe Biden, Washington and Tokyo had agreed to improve the command functions of the US military in the Land of the Rising Sun to foster greater strategic coordination and better respond to emergencies related to China’s expansionism in the Asia Pacific region, which the White House considers a threat to its hegemony. As part of its current defence strategy, Japan aims to double its annual arms expenditures to around 10 trillion yen (61.6 billion euro), making it the world’s third-largest military spending country after the US and China.
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During the conversation, the two experts explored future scenarios for their respective countries, Italy and Japan, in particular the challenges that the US protectionist policy could bring to their economies, both characterised by strong exports. In fact, a special focus was devoted to the very recent tariff policies adopted by Donald Trump and the possible consequences from a geopolitical point of view, with particular attention to the impact on strategic sectors such as automotive and technology. The dialogue then touched on the topics of defence, military spending and the possible rearmament of Europe and Japan, amidst public disapproval and growing international pressure. As a result of escalating global tensions and increased military investment by countries such as China and Russia, Europe is facing a heated debate on whether to strengthen its defence capability, as evidenced by the recent announcement of the creation of a joint European army. In parallel, in Japan, the government is considering a further increase in the defence budget, marking a departure from the pacifist policy enshrined in the post-war Constitution. The speakers discussed the possible implications of these changes on international balances and the future of relations between Europe, the US and Asia. Under the previous US administration of Joe Biden, Washington and Tokyo had agreed to improve the command functions of the US military in the Land of the Rising Sun to foster greater strategic coordination and better respond to emergencies related to China’s expansionism in the Asia Pacific region, which the White House considers a threat to its hegemony. As part of its current defence strategy, Japan aims to double its annual arms expenditures to around 10 trillion yen (61.6 billion euro), making it the world’s third-largest military spending country after the US and China.
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