Takaichi Diplomacy: Use Updated Vision to Expand Ranks of Like-Minded Nations

Editorial

15:46 JST, May 5, 2026

It is commendable that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has updated Japan’s diplomatic vision to better reflect the times, taking into account rapidly changing international circumstances and challenges that were unforeseen a decade ago.

Takaichi has fleshed out the free and open Indo-Pacific vision first advocated by then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2016, adding measures such as economic security policies.

Now, it is important to make the updated vision concrete and gain the understanding of relevant countries. Based on the initiative, efforts must also be made to expand the circle of like-minded nations.

Takaichi has visited Vietnam and Australia. During her meeting with the Vietnamese prime minister, the two leaders agreed to cooperate on the development of artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technologies. They also confirmed that Japan will support Vietnam’s crude oil procurement.

In response to the energy crisis caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the government decided last month to provide financial assistance totaling about ¥1.6 trillion to Asian nations. This is aimed at stably securing petroleum-derived medical supplies and other goods manufactured in countries such as Vietnam.

The support for Vietnam this time marks the first project for this financial assistance by Japan.

Specifically, Japan will provide insurance through a government-affiliated agency to a state-owned refinery in Vietnam, enhancing the refinery’s creditworthiness by guaranteeing payment collection, so Vietnam can smoothly procure crude oil from the Middle East and other regions. It is hoped that the project will be implemented steadily to help deepen bilateral relations.

Also drawing attention during Takaichi’s visit to Vietnam was a foreign policy speech she delivered at a university. Takaichi stressed that updating the free and open Indo-Pacific initiative would make the entire region more resilient and prosperous.

As a new measure, she outlined plans for Japan and other Asian nations to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals. While she avoided specifically naming any country, the move is seen as a response to China’s increasing economic coercion through export restrictions on rare earths.

Takaichi also announced plans to make the development of undersea cables and satellite communications a pillar of Japan’s future support. She expressed her intention to build Asia-wide regional crude oil stockpiling and release systems as a medium- to long-term plan.

All the measures announced by Takaichi demonstrate Japan’s proactive stance. Now she must continue to carefully explain that the updated vision is aimed at stability and prosperity across the entire region.

Meanwhile, during the Japan-Australia summit meeting, the two leaders confirmed their commitment to further deepening security cooperation in areas such as the cyber domain. It is reported that Takaichi said at the meeting, “Japan and Australia have, so to speak, built a quasi-alliance relationship.”

In recent years, Japan and Australia have been advancing security cooperation, including the joint development of destroyers. Leveraging this relationship, Japan should also strengthen multilateral cooperation involving the United States, Australia and India.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 5, 2026)