Italy's ITS Cavour docks at Yokosuka, Japan (©Sankei by Takumi Kamoshida)
The weather was stormy on the morning of August 26. An almost horizontal rain pattered on the Tokyo dock, as people waited patiently to visit the handsome tall ship Amerigo Vespucci, Italy's oldest navy vessel. A couple of days earlier, the Italian Navy flagship aircraft carrier ITS Cavour had reached the port of Yokosuka to conduct joint training exercises.
It seemed symbolic that Italy was pulling so much pomp and circumstance with these navy ships. Earlier on August 26, local media reported the first incursion of Japanese airspace by a Chinese military aircraft. That incident occurred in western Japan. More than ever, the strengths of Japan's international defense ties were being tested.
With this in the background, an event took place at the "Villaggio Italia" at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal, just next to where the Amerigo Vespucci was docked. The Sasakawa Peace Foundation joined members of the Italian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF) to discuss the theme, "Underwater: How to enhance the awareness and its sustainable use."
'Global Engine' Indo-Pacific
In his opening remarks, JMSDF Chief of Staff Akira Saito explained the key importance of further contribution in the region.
"The Indo-Pacific region is home to more than half of the world's population and is an engine of global economic growth," exhorted Admiral Saito.
He continued, underscoring threats from neighboring countries such as North Korea and China. "With this in mind," he said, "I believe that the MSDF and the Italian Navy should further strengthen their cooperation, given the existence of unilateral changes in the status quo and attempts to do so through force and coercion."
Strong Diplomatic Ties
The stronger relations between Japan and Italy are months in the making. In June, the two countries' leaders announced a three-year plan covering seven fields such as trade, aerospace, renewable energy, and defense.
Focusing on defense capabilities, Japan entered an agreement with Italy and the United Kingdom in July for the Global Combat Air Program fighter project. That initiative aims to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft for deployment by 2035.
However, as the Italian side emphasized, the countries are taking an all-around approach to deepening their relations.
"The purpose of having the aircraft carrier call at [Yokosuka] Port was to demonstrate the close relationship between Japan and Italy. The military cooperation between our two countries will become very important in the future," Italy's Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto told NHK.
Future Under the Sea
Using the opportunity of the event, speakers also highlighted the untapped potential of seabeds, and by extension underwater technology.
"Some 80% of the ocean floor is completely unknown," highlighted the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto.
As an example, he pointed to the untapped seabed for rare metal extraction. Currently, many countries, including Japan, are highly dependent on China for these imports. Therefore, Japan has signaled its willingness to extract rare metals for electric vehicles — such as cobalt — from the seabed around its archipelago.
'Maritime Space'
In addition, the seabeds also host a lot of energy pipelines. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the strategic importance of energy has been brought once more into sharp relief.
Admiral Bergotto referred to the 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream in the Baltic Sea. He described it as an example of how protecting underwater resources is "deeply complex."
Since then the Italian Navy has established a program called Fondali Sicuri (Safe Seabeds, in English). The program monitors maritime spaces — both in Italy and abroad — and critical infrastructure relevant to the national strategic interest.
Admiral Bergotto also pointed out that "90% of digital communications cables are on the sea floor," reiterating once more the strategic importance of this space.
In fact, "maritime space" is set to be a keyword going forward among countries worldwide.
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Author: Arielle Busetto
