Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe for talks with G7 leaders

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departed Saturday for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October, hoping to work with other leaders to address what has become the world's worst energy crisis since the 1970s.

Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending the three-day Group of Seven summit beginning Monday in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains. Energy security, critical mineral supply chains and geopolitical tensions are expected to top the agenda.