Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi appeared to hit it off instantly as they met in Tokyo on Friday.

The two leaders bonded over birthday cake, selfies and a shared admiration for Margaret Thatcher during their first extended talks since Takaichi took office last autumn.

Their rapport was underpinned by striking similarities, with both women hailing from modest backgrounds, identifying as conservatives and breaking barriers in male-dominated political systems.

Seated across a Tokyo boardroom table, Meloni and Takaichi toasted each other’s success and marked what aides described as the start of a warm new political relationship.

In one image the pair beam as they take a selfie together, while in another Takaichi presents her Italian counterpart with Hello Kitty gifts to mark her birthday.

Both women have hobbies away from politics. Meloni is a passionate fan of the Tolkien sagas, while Takaichi is a keen drummer who once played in a heavy-metal rock band.

To celebrate the occasion, the Italian premier later posted an anime-style selfie on X showing the pair smiling broadly at the camera.

Takaichi also presented Meloni with a basket of Hello Kitty gifts, likely to end up in the hands of the Italian leader’s nine-year-old daughter.

‘Oh, you are so kind,’ Meloni said as she accepted the present from her smiling Japanese counterpart.

The two leaders discussed female empowerment, shared strategic priorities and their countries’ joint role in developing a next-generation fighter jet, a project that also involves Britain.

The Global Combat Air Programme aims to deliver the new aircraft by 2035.

Both women, admirers of Margaret Thatcher, pledged to push forward with the fighter project during the talks.

In her official comments, Meloni highlighted how both have broken glass ceilings in their political careers and referred warmly to Takaichi by her first name.

‘Sanae and I also share the fact that we are among the women who have opened new paths in our countries,’ the Italian prime minister said.

She impressed her hosts by invoking the Japanese concept of ‘ganbaru’, the determination to persevere even in difficult times.

Meloni also noted that Italy and Japan are heirs to ancient civilisations, expressing hope that modern-day ties between the two nations could be further strengthened.

There appeared to be genuine chemistry between the pair, with Takaichi, 64, offering her best wishes for Meloni’s 49th birthday, which fell on Thursday.

‘I would like to celebrate Giorgia’s birthday together with the Japanese people. Congratulations,’ she said.

Meloni replied: ‘Sanae and I haven’t known each other for very long, but our relationship immediately began with a special affinity and I believe it is quickly becoming a solid friendship, also on a personal level.’

Neither woman comes from a privileged background or an established political dynasty.

Meloni was raised by her mother in the working-class Roman district of Garbatella, after her father left the family and moved to the Canary Islands.

Takaichi’s father worked for a car-parts manufacturing company, while her mother served in the police force.

Their countries also face similar challenges, including ageing populations, low birth rates and sluggish economic growth.

Both leaders are navigating relations with an unpredictable US president while seeking to maintain long-standing alliances.