The Prime Minister of Japan wants a free and open Asia

In a speech to students in Hanoi, Ms. Takaichi reiterated her “determination to assume the responsibilities of Japan and, in truth, to play an even more active role than ever in building an international order based on freedom, openness, diversity, inclusivity, and the rule of law.”

Against a backdrop of “intensified geopolitical competition” and “accelerated technological innovation,” the Japanese government leader urged Asian countries to strengthen their “resilience” and their ability to “determine their own future.”

Both countries are concerned about Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and are seeking to shield themselves from the consequences of US trade policies by expanding their economic and security ties.

However, while Hanoi aims to maintain good relations with all major global powers through its traditional “bamboo diplomacy” approach, Tokyo has seen its already frosty relations with Beijing deteriorate significantly in recent months.

First proposed a decade ago by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who mentored Ms. Sanae Takaichi, the idea of a “free and open Indo-Pacific region” has since been embraced by many US partners and allies seeking to contain China’s influence in the region.

Beijing has criticized this initiative as an attempt to promote a confrontation between blocs, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian accusing Tokyo of “reviving confrontation between camps.”

In her speech, Ms. Takaichi, without directly naming Beijing, cautioned against “excessive dependence on a single country for essential goods,” noting that this often results from “abnormally low prices” and calling for “fair competition conditions.”

She also emphasized the importance of open sea lanes, stating that “regional supply chains rely on safe and free navigation at sea.”

During her first visit to Vietnam, the Prime Minister signed agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in energy security, supply chain resilience, and innovation.

The two countries agreed to work more closely on “economic security, including (in the sector of) energy, important mineral resources, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and space,” Ms. Takaichi stated after her meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

Japan is the main provider of public development aid to this Southeast Asian country and a crucial investor and trading partner.

Last year, bilateral trade surpassed $50 billion for the first time.

The two countries also have a strategic partnership that they agreed on Saturday to take into “a new phase of development,” Mr. Hung announced after the meeting.

He noted that six agreements covering technology, climate change preparedness, and information and communication were signed.

The two leaders also “reaffirmed the importance of resolving disputes in the South China Sea through peaceful means, based on international law,” he added.

Last November, Ms. Takaichi, whose country hosts 60,000 US troops, suggested that Tokyo could intervene militarily if China attacked Taiwan, sparking a furious reaction from Beijing, which viewed it as an attack on its sovereignty.