Kishida, who will host a summit of the Group of Seven (G7)
industrial powers in May, begins a tour of G7 capitals this week
with talks expected to range from economic security and
semiconductors to the war in Ukraine and rising tensions with
nuclear-armed China and North Korea.
France has sought to develop its presence in the Indo-Pacific
and has been keen to deepen economic ties with Japan.
It also wants to underscore how it can play a bigger role in
Japan's defence industry as it has done in the civilian nuclear
power sector, as Kishida adopts a more muscular military policy
in the region, a French presidential source said.
The talks between the two leaders will also include their common
concerns over the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, the alliance
between automakers Renault and Nissan and how to broaden
economic and military support for Ukraine as the war with Russia
grinds through its 11th month, the official said.
Kishida will be the first foreign leader to visit Notre-Dame
since its reconstruction began following a major fire in 2019.
The aim is to re-open the site in 2024.
(Reporting by John Irish, Editing by William Maclean)
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