Japanese PM to Visit Vietnam and Australia, Plans to Announce 'Evolved' Indo-Pacific Strategy
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit Vietnam and Australia starting May 1. She is expected to announce an updated 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' policy, proposing deeper cooperation in fields such as energy and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 12:36
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Tokyo, CNA. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to visit Vietnam and Australia sequentially starting May 1. She is expected to deliver a diplomatic policy update in Vietnam regarding the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' and propose enhanced cooperation in energy and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
According to NHK and Jiji Press, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara announced today that Takaichi's five-day tour includes summit meetings with Vietnamese and Australian leaders on May 2 and May 4, respectively. Kihara added that Takaichi would deliver a speech on future diplomatic policy on May 3.
During her visit to Vietnam, Takaichi is expected to speak at a university to unveil the 'evolved' version of the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' policy. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the late PM Shinzo Abe's original proposal for the strategy. Takaichi plans to express Japan's intent to help nations ensure autonomy and resilience without becoming overly dependent on any specific country. Simultaneously, she will announce strengthened cooperation in energy and AI, expansion of the CPTPP (TPP) membership, and provision of defense equipment to boost maritime security capabilities.
Other key cabinet members are also traveling. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi plans to visit four African nations, including mineral-rich Zambia and Angola. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama will visit Uzbekistan for the ADB annual meeting. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced today he will visit Indonesia and the Philippines from May 3 to 7 to sign agreements expanding defense cooperation. Koizumi will coordinate with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on equipment and technology transfer and plans to observe the U.S.-Philippines 'Balikatan' military exercise.
According to NHK and Jiji Press, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara announced today that Takaichi's five-day tour includes summit meetings with Vietnamese and Australian leaders on May 2 and May 4, respectively. Kihara added that Takaichi would deliver a speech on future diplomatic policy on May 3.
During her visit to Vietnam, Takaichi is expected to speak at a university to unveil the 'evolved' version of the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' policy. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the late PM Shinzo Abe's original proposal for the strategy. Takaichi plans to express Japan's intent to help nations ensure autonomy and resilience without becoming overly dependent on any specific country. Simultaneously, she will announce strengthened cooperation in energy and AI, expansion of the CPTPP (TPP) membership, and provision of defense equipment to boost maritime security capabilities.
Other key cabinet members are also traveling. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi plans to visit four African nations, including mineral-rich Zambia and Angola. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama will visit Uzbekistan for the ADB annual meeting. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced today he will visit Indonesia and the Philippines from May 3 to 7 to sign agreements expanding defense cooperation. Koizumi will coordinate with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on equipment and technology transfer and plans to observe the U.S.-Philippines 'Balikatan' military exercise.