French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that he shared Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s position on the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, speaking alongside her on the second day of his visit to Tokyo.

The two leaders were expected to discuss security and partnerships in the space sector, and planned to sign a roadmap on nuclear power in Japan, the Élysée Palace said ahead of Macron’s Asia trip, which will also include a visit to South Korea.

The French president earlier praised Europe’s “predictability” during a meeting with Japanese business leaders, contrasting it with countries that “could hurt you without even informing you” in an apparent swipe at US President Donald Trump.

Read moreMacron touts Europe’s ‘predictability’ during Japan visit in apparent swipe at Trump

“I’m well aware that sometimes Europe can be seen as a continent that is slower than others,” Macron told the audience in Tokyo.

“But predictability has value, and we have demonstrated that over all these past years and, dare I say, even these past weeks: we are where you know we will go,” he added. “That’s not bad, in times like these, believe me.”

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)