From Hanoi, Takaichi relaunches Japan's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific
Reviving Shinzo Abe's vision for a "free and open" ocean, the Japanese prime minister outlined a programme aimed at strengthening economic cooperation with ASEAN countries, extending the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and strengthening military assistance and security programmes. Meanwhile, she promised Vietnam US$ 5 billion in annual investments.
Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is currently on a state visit to Vietnam and Australia, a trip that the Japanese government considers of great importance in the current international context.
In Hanoi, there was much anticipation for the address she gave on Saturday to students at the Vietnam National University, which was billed as an “updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP) strategy launched ten years ago by her predecessor and mentor Shinzo Abe.
In the Vietnamese capital, Sanae Takaichi effectively outlined an ambitious programme to strengthen Japan's role in the Indo-Pacific region, promising an even more "proactive" commitment than in the past to contribute to building “an international order based on freedom, openness, diversity, inclusiveness, and the rule of law.”
The Japanese leader referred to the international context that has “changed considerably" compared to ten years ago, alluding to the rise of China, but also to global geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding US foreign policy.
Takaichi stressed how partner countries must adapt to these new realities, characterised by geopolitical competition, rapid technological innovation, and the growing influence of the so-called Global South.
In this context, she highlighted the need to boost economic, social, and security autonomy and resilience so as to be able to independently determine her country’s own future.
According to Takaichi, Japan's new Indo-Pacific strategy seeks cooperation in three main areas.
First, the creation of a more robust economic ecosystem in partnership with ASEAN countries, with a particular focus on energy and critical mineral supply chains. This also includes collaboration on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, including undersea cables.
Second, Japan aims to strengthen an international economic order based on shared rules. The prime minister has expressed support for the expansion of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), signed in 2023 by 11 countries (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam) and already extended to the United Kingdom.
Japan is now pushing for greater cooperation with countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Finally, the third area concerns security. Japan has stated its intention to expand military assistance and development programmes, helping partners improve, among other things, maritime security capabilities.
This is no small feat in a global context marked by disputes in the South China Sea and Chinese pressure on Taiwan.
Against this background, the focus on relations with Vietnam takes on great importance.
Takaichi met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng, with whom she signed new cooperation agreements in areas such as maritime security, cybersecurity, economic security, and energy security.
Japan has also committed to increasing investment in the country to US$ 5 billion annually and to see bilateral trade rise to US$ 60 billion by 2030.
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