Meloni, the visit to the Japanese prime minister and the manga-style selfie

A manga-style selfie that also shows the understanding between Giorgia Meloni and her Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi .

"Two distant nations, but ever closer. Friendship and harmony," Meloni wrote on social media after the lunch hosted by the Japanese prime minister in Tokyo.

A bilateral meeting that cemented a strong bond between the two nations and between the two women . Takaichi called it "a great honor that Giorgia celebrated her birthday yesterday in Japan" and wished her a happy birthday, presenting her with the Green Expo mascot, a basket of children's drawings.

During her visit, Meloni also "had the pleasure of meeting Tetsuo Hara, creator of Fist of the North Star . I thank him from the bottom of my heart for the precious gift he gave me and for a work that has influenced the growth of entire generations of Italians, becoming part of our nation's collective imagination," the prime minister wrote on social media, sharing a photo with Hara, who gave her a drawing of Fist of the North Star with the dedication "Happy Birthday Meloni."

Meloni is the first European leader to make an official visit since Takaichi took office in October . With her, the prime minister signed a document to strengthen cooperation between Rome and Tokyo.

The meeting had two central points: a "commitment to protect the international order based on the rules of international law" and a "strong concern about all trade restrictions" .

A distancing from Donald Trump's policies: "Italy and Japan together can make a difference because we are friendly nations, because we share values that draw their strength from ancient civilizations, because we believe that defending a free, just, and open international order is the best way to ensure peace and prosperity," Meloni explained.

(Unioneonline)