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Yoshihide Suga is scheduled to visit Vietnam and Indonesia in mid-October during his first visit after taking office, according to Japanese government sources.
If the visit goes ahead, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga plans to hold talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Kyodo citing sources as of 9/30.
Mr. Suga will make the final decision on whether or not to travel after assessing the Covid-19 situation in Japan, as well as in two countries in Southeast Asia, where the epidemic has been more stably controlled than other countries. another family like America.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga during a press conference in Tokyo after taking office on September 16. Image: Reuters.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said face-to-face meetings between leaders play an important role in diplomacy. He stressed that Japan seeks to promote the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, which includes respect for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. , building stable relationships with neighboring countries.
The plan to visit the two Southeast Asian countries comes as Japan seeks to strengthen ties with countries in the region, amid growing tensions between the United States, Japan’s main security ally and China, and the trading partner. largest in the country.
Vietnam and Indonesia are also former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s first overseas destinations after he took office for a second term in December 2012. Abe seeks a closer economic and security relationship with the two countries, and Suga has the intention of continuing the policies of its predecessor. Vietnam holds the presidency of ASEAN, while Indonesia is a member of the group of the world’s top 20 economies (G20).
After assuming the post of prime minister on September 16, Suga telephoned leaders of countries such as the United States, South Korea, China and Russia, but he also wanted to meet them in person.
Phuong Vu (Follow Kyodo)
