FOCUS: Takaichi Vows to Uphold Abe’s Policy on Diplomatic Debut

Kuala Lumpur, Oct. 26 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made a relatively smooth diplomatic debut during a visit to Malaysia, demonstrating her resolve to uphold former leader Shinzo Abe’s free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) initiative. At a summit with Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, Takaichi and leaders from the countries agreed to strengthen relations between Japan and the region. With the security environment surrounding Japan increasingly harsh and complex, her diplomacy could be rocky going forward. Takaichi was inaugurated last Tuesday. Japan will redefine FOIP as a pillar of its diplomacy and evolve the initiative in line with the times, Takaichi said at the outset of the Japan-ASEAN summit. Takaichi has served in many key positions, such as internal affairs and communications minister and chair of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council, but does not have much diplomatic experience. In diplomacy, she often uses the style of Abe, a late former Japanese prime minister. In her first policy address at the Diet, Japan’s parliament, on Friday, Takaichi said, “I will restore Japanese diplomacy that flourishes on the world’s center stage,” a phrase often used by Abe. In personnel affairs, Takaichi appointed Toshimitsu Motegi, who was the last foreign minister under Abe’s second administration, to the post again for her cabinet. She also picked former Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Keiichi Ichikawa, who was involved in the designing of the FOIP initiative, as head of the National Security Secretariat. In addition, Takaichi often meets with Takeo Akiba, national security adviser to the cabinet, who supported Abe’s diplomacy. Following Abe’s example, Takaichi chose Southeast Asia as the destination for her first foreign trip since taking office. Abe visited the region for his first trip abroad since he launched his second administration in December 2012. ASEAN countries are distancing themselves from the United States, which is increasing pressure with its high tariff policy. They have also been frustrated at China, which takes an assertive stance. As the international order has been shaken, there are strong calls for stepped-up ties with Japan among ASEAN countries, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said. The summit with ASEAN was a good choice for Takaichi’s first overseas trip, a source who accompanied her on the trip to Malaysia said. Still, more diplomatic events are coming for the new prime minister. She is set to host U.S. President Donald Trump in Tokyo for their first face-to-face meeting on Tuesday, after holding phone talks with him Saturday. Attention is being paid to whether they can build a good relationship and put the bilateral ties back on track after the two countries struck a tariff agreement earlier this year under then Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the immediate predecessor of Takaichi. Takaichi is set to visit South Korea from Thursday to take part in an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit starting Friday. Work is underway to set up the first meeting between Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. At issue will be whether Takaichi can ease South Korea’s concerns over history and other issues and further improve the two countries’ relations. Among participants in the APEC summit will be Chinese President Xi Jinping. How Takaichi, known for her hawkish stance on China, will deal with Xi is also expected to be watched closely. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]