KEY TAKEAWAYS
- During her Golden Week travel to Vietnam and Australia, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae not only inked new agreements with strategic partners but also provided new insight into her government’s approach to foreign policy.
- In updating the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” concept for a new era, Takaichi, in contrast to the late Abe Shinzō’s focus on connectivity, emphasized “resilience,” matching her focus on increasing Japan’s self-reliance and autonomy.
- It was also notable how little Takaichi had to say in her meetings with her Vietnamese and Australian counterparts about a role for the United States in Asia, an implicit confirmation that Asian powers may no longer be looking to Washington for leadership in strengthening regional cooperation in the face of China’s growing influence.
Japan Foresight 