Japanese PM confirms upcoming visit to Vietnam

The event will mark the first overseas trip for PM Suga since taking office on September 16.

Upon addressing a meeting held among the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), PM Suga stated that, “If conditions permit, I will visit Vietnam and Indonesia on a trip set to begin this week.”

The new Japan leader is highly appreciative of the role played by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the region, particularly due to its strategic central location, an area that the Japanese side is keen to promote to achieve a free and open in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japan is hopeful of showcasing its desire to the world to play a leading role in maintaining peace whilst contributing to created prosperity in the region, he added.

In response to the press regarding PM Suga's first visit, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that the upcoming trip to both Vietnam and Indonesia will be of great significance in realizing the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Tokyo judges international co-operation to be highly necessary and therefore is seeking support from numerous countries to work towards their goals. Japanese leaders will be able to frankly discuss issues with Vietnam in the country’s role as ASEAN Chair 2020, in addition to Indonesia, a large nation within ASEAN, on regional and international issues, as well as the post-novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the Japanese diplomat said.

The plan to visit both Vietnam and Indonesia comes amid Japan seeking to strengthen relations with ASEAN member states.

Currently the relationship between the United States, Japan's key security ally, and China, the East Asian nation’s largest trading partner, is facing increasing tensions in the areas of trade and security, among other issues.

Most notably, PM Suga’s predecessor Shinzo Abe had also chosen Vietnam and Indonesia as the destinations for his first overseas trip after returning to power in December, 2012.