HANOI – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi used a high-profile address at a Hanoi university to reaffirm Japan’s dedication to a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” signaling a proactive shift in the nation’s regional diplomatic strategy. During her visit, she unveiled an updated vision for the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) initiative, emphasizing resilience and the importance of nations determining their own futures amid intensifying geopolitical competition.
The updated strategy focuses on three core pillars: constructing economic infrastructure tailored for the AI and data era, fostering growth through public-private collaboration, and deepening security cooperation to ensure regional stability. While Takaichi did not name China directly, her remarks underscored the necessity of supply chain resilience and warned against over-dependence on single markets for critical goods. These comments reflect a broader push by Tokyo to promote a “level playing field” and secure vital shipping lanes, which underpin regional trade.
During her meetings with Vietnamese leadership, including Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and President To Lam, both nations committed to elevating their strategic partnership. The two governments signed six agreements covering technology, climate preparedness, and information communication. Both sides also reaffirmed the importance of addressing South China Sea disputes through peaceful means and established a framework for deeper security and economic collaboration.
Takaichi’s visit, her first to Vietnam since taking office in October, highlights the growing significance of the Tokyo-Hanoi relationship. As Japan’s largest provider of official development assistance and a key trading partner, Japan seeks to align its strategic interests with Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy,” which balances relations among global powers. The Japanese leader is scheduled to continue her regional tour in Australia following her departure from Vietnam on May 3.