The Japanese Prime Minister in Hanoi promises a more active role for Tokyo in building a free and open Indo-Pacific. He warns of growing geopolitical rivalry.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi promised on Saturday during an official visit to Vietnam that Tokyo will play a more significant role in ensuring a “free and open” Asia-Pacific region. This was reported by the AFP agency, writes TASR.
- The Japanese Prime Minister promised a greater role in the Asia-Pacific region.
- She called on Asian countries to be resilient and independent.
- Japan and Vietnam are concerned about China’s territorial claims.
- They discussed security, technology and bilateral cooperation.
“I renew my determination to live up to Japan’s responsibilities and truly play an even more active role than ever before in building an international order based on freedom, openness, diversity, inclusiveness and the rule of law,” Takaichi said during a speech at Hanoi University.
The Prime Minister noted that the world is currently in an era of “intensifying geopolitical competition and accelerating technological innovation.” She urged Asian countries to cultivate “resilience (and the ability) to determine their own future.”
They share concerns
Japan and Vietnam share common concerns about Beijing’s territorial claims in the East and South China Seas. The two countries are also trying to protect against trade disruptions caused by the US by expanding economic and security ties, AFP explains.
In her speech on Saturday, without directly naming China, Takaichi warned against “over-dependence on one country for critical goods” and called for a “level playing field”. She also emphasized the importance of open sea lanes, saying that “regional supply chains are based on safe and open sea navigation.”
The Japanese leader is currently on her first visit to Vietnam since taking office last October. On Saturday, she also met with the local Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, as well as with President To Lam. The officials signed several agreements in several areas, including technology and security. They also confirmed that they want to develop mutual relations between the countries.
According to AFP, one of Takaichi’s goals is to deepen bilateral cooperation between Tokyo and Hanoi on energy security and resilience of supply chains amid disruptions from war in the Middle East. AFP adds that Tokyo is Hanoi’s largest provider of official development assistance and a key investor and trading partner. Takaičiová will leave Vietnam on Sunday and then travel to Australia.
