French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi jointly called for calm in the Middle East during a meeting in Tokyo on 1 April, urging adherence to international law and the protection of energy shipping routes amid rising regional tensions. The two leaders emphasized the need for a ceasefire and the uninterrupted flow of goods through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy supplies. Macron stated, "We share a belief in international law and in the international order based on the United Nations Charter," adding that both nations support peace, calm, and free movement through the strategic waterway. Japan, which sources 90 to 95 percent of its oil from the Middle East, has already drawn from its strategic reserves to counter fuel price spikes triggered by the instability.
Takaichi affirmed that both countries recognize the importance of safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring stable energy flows. Beyond crisis response, France and Japan signed agreements to deepen cooperation in critical minerals, defence, civilian nuclear technology, and artificial intelligence. A lighter moment occurred during a press conference when Macron and Takaichi mimicked the "kamehameha" energy blast gesture from the Japanese anime Dragon Ball, drawing brief applause. Macron, in an interview with NHK, clarified that France was neither consulted nor involved in any military actions by the United States and Israel, stating, "It is absolutely true that France, which has not been consulted and is not part of this military offensive launched by the United States and Israel, is not taking part in it." The French president is scheduled to continue his Asia tour in South Korea on 2 April.
When Macron insists France was not consulted on US-Israeli military actions, he is drawing a geopolitical line: Europe's role in global crises cannot be reduced to afterthought status. The Dragon Ball gesture may have been playful, but the message behind the summit is serious — Tokyo and Paris are aligning not just on energy security, but on shaping a multipolar order where middle powers assert autonomy. This partnership, cemented through critical minerals and AI deals, suggests a strategic recalibration as nations hedge against overreliance on any single power. In a world of tightening blocs, neutrality is no longer passive — it's a calculated stance.
