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Japan's PM Takaichi Celebrates G7 Unity on Energy Security and Critical Minerals
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi praised the G7 summit's unified stance on energy security and critical mineral supply chains, emphasizing its significance for Asia and Japan, which depend on Middle Eastern oil. She also discussed Japan's careful assessment of potential Self-Defense Forces involvement in the Strait of Hormuz and reaffirmed Tokyo's commitment to stable relations with China amid regional tensions.
Quick Facts
Who
Sanae Takaichi
What
G7 summit concluded with unified message on energy security
When
Wednesday (June 18, 2026)
Where
Evian-les-Bains, France
- G7 summit concluded with unified message on energy security
- G7 agreed on critical mineral supply chain coordination
- Takaichi won support for coordinated stockpiling of critical minerals including rare earth elements
- Discussion of potential Strait of Hormuz naval mission
- Japan evaluating possible Self-Defense Forces deployment
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hailed the outcome of the Group of Seven summit held in Evian-les-Bains, France, stating that leaders delivered a strong and unified message on energy security and critical mineral supply chains. Speaking at a news conference following the three-day summit, Takaichi emphasized that the G7 successfully sent a clear message to the world on these pressing issues, describing the significance as "immense."
Takaichi highlighted that Asia has been the region most affected by oil supply disruptions stemming from the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. As a resource-poor nation, Japan relies heavily on Middle Eastern crude oil imports, making the G7's coordinated approach to energy security particularly significant for Japanese interests. The Prime Minister noted that she has won support from fellow leaders for her proposal on coordinated stockpiling of critical minerals, including rare earth elements, with an emphasis on closer international cooperation.
Regarding potential Japanese military involvement in regional security, Takaichi stated that Japan "must carefully assess the situation" in the Strait of Hormuz before making any decision on deploying the Self-Defense Forces. She emphasized that any response would depend on the security situation following a U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement. Japan's SDF possesses mine-sweeping capabilities, and Britain and France have proposed a multinational naval mission to safeguard shipping through the waterway if the ceasefire holds.
During the summit, Takaichi raised regional security issues involving China, North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, and addressed Pyongyang's historical abductions of Japanese citizens. Summit participants engaged in what she described as "extremely frank" discussions on these matters. When asked about strained ties between Tokyo and Beijing following her parliamentary remarks in November on a potential Taiwan contingency, Takaichi reiterated Japan's goal of building "constructive and stable" relations with China, noting that "dialogue remains open" and that Japan will "continue to respond calmly and appropriately from the perspective of Japan's national interests."
On domestic matters, Takaichi reported that discussions are advancing on a proposal to temporarily reduce the consumption tax on food and beverages to 1 percent as part of ongoing social security reform deliberations within a government-led council.
Why This Matters
Japan's endorsement of G7 energy security coordination directly impacts global supply chains and regional stability. For readers, this signals Japan's strategic pivot toward securing critical mineral supplies and energy independence amid geopolitical turbulence—affecting everything from semiconductor prices to military preparedness in Asia. The government's cautious stance on Strait of Hormuz deployment reflects real constraints on Japan's military role, while the openness to China dialogue suggests Tokyo is balancing security concerns with economic interdependence.