The Japanese Prime Minister, Takaichi Sanae, spoke in Vietnam about Japan’s foreign policy, advocating for a free and open Indo-Pacific. She emphasized three key areas, including strengthening energy supply chains, in an increasingly tense international context.
Ms. Takaichi delivered her speech on Saturday at a university in Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital.
The concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific was first proposed 10 years ago by then-Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.
Ms. Takaichi stated that despite considerable changes in the region, this principle remains unchanged. She added that Japan would play a more active role in building an international order based on freedom, transparency, and the rule of law.
She also highlighted the need to address new realities, such as intensified geopolitical competition and accelerated technological innovation.
The Prime Minister declared that Japan would focus its efforts on three key areas. The first is to strengthen energy and critical resource supply chains. Research and development in artificial intelligence will be encouraged, as well as improving submarine cables and other infrastructure.
The second goal is to increase more countries’ participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership to expand the economic order based on rules. Japan also aims to establish rules to avoid dependence on certain countries for essential resources.
Ms. Takaichi mentioned security cooperation as the third key priority. She indicated that Japan would support enhancing maritime security capabilities through its Official Development Assistance (ODA) security assistance program.
