Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made her first appearance at the G7 summit this week, presenting an opportunity to leverage her ties with former U.S. President Donald Trump to ease tensions between Washington and other bloc members. The three-day meeting, held in Evian, eastern France, saw Takaichi propose a joint strategic stockpile partnership aimed at strengthening critical mineral supply chains and reducing China’s influence in the sector.

Speaking ahead of the summit, Takaichi emphasized the need for frank discussions on urgent global issues and underscored Japan’s commitment as a representative of Asia, focusing on perspectives from the Indo-Pacific region. Her government has sought to position Japan as a key player in addressing energy security, supply chain resilience, and economic coercion.

Analysts note that Takaichi’s rapport with Trump, cultivated partly by building on the legacy of her mentor, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, could act as a bridge between the U.S. and the rest of the G7. Rintaro Nishimura, senior associate at The Asia Group consultancy, highlighted her ability to maintain positive relations with the group while advancing cooperation on defense and economic security with European partners.

At a working dinner on the summit’s opening night, Takaichi also called for secure and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed since February due to ongoing conflicts involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Nishimura suggested Tokyo might soon consider deploying Japan’s Self-Defense Forces for minesweeping operations in the strategic waterway once a ceasefire, tentatively agreed upon for June 19, is finalized.

Japan’s expanding security partnerships beyond Washington were also in focus. Takaichi met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London prior to the summit, pledging to deepen collaboration on economic security, defense, and advanced technologies. Ryo Sahashi, an international politics professor at the University of Tokyo, noted that the UK has become Japan’s "quasi-ally," second only to the U.S., with joint projects like the development of next-generation fighter jets highlighting this trend.

Observers point to Japan’s increasingly proactive regional stance, marked by defense agreements with Australia, European Union members, and Southeast Asian countries. Benoit Hardy-Chartrand, a senior lecturer at Temple University in Japan, described the G7 as an important but singular element in Tokyo’s broader strategy to shape the evolving rules-based international order.

Takaichi has openly embraced comparisons to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, dubbing herself Japan’s “Iron Lady” and signaling her intent to drive transformation amid emerging global challenges. Political scientist Kazuto Suzuki of the University of Tokyo remarked that while Takaichi’s leadership style differs from Thatcher’s, both share firm leadership qualities. Her solid domestic support and consistent foreign policy stance may bolster her ability to coordinate internationally and strengthen her leadership role within the G7.

Experts agree that the success of her proposals, including the critical minerals stockpiling initiative, will be key to consolidating her image on the world stage. Nishimura added that collaborating with fellow G7 nations to counter China’s coercive tactics could further enhance Takaichi’s stature as a decisive global actor.