Japan embraces Vietnam, PM Takaichi pushes Indo-Pacific security

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung. (Photo: Kyodo News)

Japan has strengthened cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of economic security, energy, and supply chains. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan would be more active in building a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to a Kyodo News report quoted on Sunday, May 3, Takaichi conveyed this in a speech at the Vietnam National University, Saturday. The speech marked the 10th anniversary of Japan's Indo-Pacific initiative for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Takaichi said the new direction of the initiative would focus on supply chain resilience, rule-based economic growth, and security cooperation to maintain regional stability.

"In this challenging environment, it is important for countries in the region to have 'resilience'," Takaichi said.

Before the speech, Takaichi met with Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi. Both sides agreed to strengthen economic security cooperation, including Japanese support for oil procurement.

Japan is deepening ties with Southeast Asian countries to secure energy amid the Middle East crisis and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

In talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Takaichi agreed to continue discussing the supply chain of important minerals. The two also discussed support for the procurement of oil for one of Vietnam's largest refineries, the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex.

Support for the refinery is part of an initial tranche of Japan's pledge of up to 10 billion dollars in financial assistance to Asian countries. The aid is aimed at addressing fuel supply shortages and supply chain disruptions.

Takaichi also offered cooperation in artificial intelligence with Vietnam and like-minded countries. He explained the idea of a "digital corridor" to encourage the development of submarine cables, satellites, and other communication networks.

In the maritime sector, Japan will expand the scope of ODA to help the maritime law enforcement capacity of like-minded countries. Kyodo News noted that Tokyo's move to strengthen ties with ASEAN, including Vietnam, comes as China increases military activity in the South China Sea.

Vietnam is also important in the mineral supply chain. The US Geological Survey estimates that Vietnam's rare earth reserves will reach about 3.5 million tons by 2025.

According to the cooperation document, Japan and Vietnam will also prioritize artificial intelligence. Japan calls itself a "reliable partner" for Vietnam. The potential for cooperation in nuclear energy is also discussed as soon as 2040.

In the field of security, the two countries welcomed progress after the first two-plus-two meeting of foreign and defense deputy ministers in Tokyo in December. A senior Japanese official said the two sides agreed to increase coordination through Official Security Assistance or OSA.

Takaichi arrived in Vietnam on Friday. He is scheduled to head to Australia to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday, before returning to Japan on Tuesday.