On 10 March 2026, Fiammetta Salmoni, Director General of the Italian Defense Industries Agency (Agenzia Industrie Difesa – AID), together with senior officials of the Agency, welcomed the official visit of the Sasakawa Health Foundation, led by its Honorary Chair of The Nippon Foundation, Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, accompanied by Dr. Takahiro Nanri, Executive Board Member of the Sasakawa Health Foundation, and six other distinguished members of the Japanese delegation.

The meeting represented an occasion of particular institutional significance, constituting the first official engagement between the two organizations and laying the foundations for a structured and long-term dialogue, also within the broader framework of cooperation between Italy and Japan.

During the visit, the strategic role of the Italian Defense Industries Agency was highlighted as an entity of the Ministry of Defense engaged—through its Military Pharmaceutical Chemical Plant in Florence—in pharmaceutical production, health security, and support to public policies, including in emergency contexts and in alignment with European guidelines and the priorities of major international organizations, including the World Health Organization.

The Director General of AID also presented the Agency’s distinctive expertise and operational model, reaffirming its position as a center of excellence at both national and European level in the production of strategic medicines and healthcare supplies, including in support of international cooperation initiatives.

Discussions with the Sasakawa Health Foundation made it possible to identify areas of shared interest, particularly in promoting equitable access to healthcare, developing joint scientific initiatives, and strengthening capacities to address global health challenges.

“This first meeting represents a step of great strategic importance,” stated Fiammetta Salmoni. “Collaboration with such high-level international partners further strengthens the role of the Agency and of our Military Pharmaceutical Chemical Plant as a strategic national asset, contributing concretely to global health policies and to the strengthening of cooperation between Italy and Japan, in line with the priorities of the Ministry of Defense and within the European and multilateral framework.”

The visit represents a significant step in the process of expanding and consolidating the international relations of the Italian Defense Industries Agency, reinforcing its role as a qualified partner in global health cooperation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties expressed their full satisfaction with the high level of the exchange and their shared intention to continue the dialogue and explore concrete opportunities for collaboration.