French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Japan and South Korea has been overshadowed by the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Macron's trip, initially focused on strengthening partnerships in nuclear energy and space innovation, has taken a backseat to discussions on finding common solutions to the crisis. A large delegation of five ministers, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin, is accompanying Macron to Tokyo, where he will hold talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday.
Japan's reliance on the Middle East for 95 percent of its oil imports has made it particularly vulnerable to rising fuel prices since the start of the war. In response, economy and finance ministers from G7 countries, including France and Japan, have pledged to take necessary measures to ensure the stability of the energy market.
Macron is expected to meet with business leaders, including the heads of Softbank, Iwatani, and Horiba, to discuss partnerships in the space sector and nuclear power. The French president is also set to sign a roadmap on nuclear power in Japan with Prime Minister Takaichi.
On a separate note, French foie gras producers are hoping Macron will raise the issue of import barriers imposed by Japan in 2023 due to a bird flu outbreak. The producers claim that their vaccination strategy has proven successful, and they are now producing more foie gras than ever before.
Macron will conclude his trip in South Korea on Thursday and Friday, where he will meet with President Lee Jae-myung and pay tribute to Korean War veterans.
When Macron says that finding common solutions to the Middle East crisis is crucial, that means he believes a unified approach from major economies is necessary to mitigate the impact of the war on global energy markets. This is particularly significant given Japan's reliance on the Middle East for 95 percent of its oil imports.
