Japan PM Takaichi Leaves for ASEAN-Related Summits in Malaysia

Tokyo, Oct. 25 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi left for Malaysia on Saturday to attend summit talks related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Takaichi will emphasize the importance of the free and open Indo-Pacific initiative as well as free trade, aiming to demonstrate Japan’s presence during her first overseas trip since taking office Tuesday. “ASEAN is a hub linking the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, the global growth center and the key to Japan-led FOIP (initiative),” Takaichi told reporters at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. “I would like to deepen my relationships of trust with ASEAN leaders and produce significant results,” she also said. “I will advance Japan’s diplomacy that flourishes on the world’s center stage.” In her first policy address at the Diet, Japan’s parliament, Friday, she vowed to strongly promote the FOIP initiative as a pillar of the country’s diplomatic policy and evolve it in line with the times. She hopes to deepen cooperation with Southeast Asian countries that share fundamental values at a time when China is increasing hegemonic behavior in the Asia-Pacific region. On Sunday, Takaichi will attend a Japan-ASEAN summit and stress the significance of the rule of law. Japan will host an Asia Zero Emission Community summit jointly with Malaysia. The AZEC framework for promoting decarbonization was proposed in 2022 by then Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Takaichi is also expected to hold bilateral talks with leaders of Malaysia and other countries. With U.S. President Donald Trump scheduled to visit Japan from Monday to Wednesday, Takaichi will return home Monday while ASEAN-related meetings are set to continue until Tuesday. She will visit South Korea from Thursday to attend an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit starting Friday. Takaichi may also hold a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]