Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visits Hanoi for her first trip since taking office in October to meet Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and President To Lam. She will press for a "free and open" Indo‑Pacific and deeper cooperation on energy security, supply‑chain resilience and technological ties. The visit comes amid heightened tensions with China after Takaichi's Taiwan remarks; foreign media have been barred from her university speech.
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Visits Hanoi to Push 'Free and Open' Indo‑Pacific, Meet Vietnam's Top Leaders
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) disembarks a plane upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on May 1, 2026. (Hoang Long)(Hoang Long/AFP/AFP)
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives in Hanoi on Saturday for her first visit to Vietnam since taking office in October. The trip aims to deepen bilateral cooperation on energy security, supply-chain resilience and technological innovation, while reinforcing Tokyo's vision of a "free and open" Indo‑Pacific.
Meetings With Vietnam's Leadership
Takaichi is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and To Lam, the Communist Party leader who last month also became president. Discussions are expected to focus on practical cooperation — including investment, development assistance and steps to secure reliable flows of energy and critical minerals.
Economic Ties and Strategic Context
Japan is Vietnam's largest provider of official development assistance and a major investor and trading partner. Two‑way trade exceeded $50 billion for the first time last year, underscoring the economic importance of the relationship.
Regional Security and Rising Tensions With China
Both Tokyo and Hanoi share concerns about China's maritime claims in the East and South China Seas. Relations between Japan and China have also chilled in recent months after Takaichi suggested in November that Japan, as a close US ally, could potentially intervene to counter a Chinese move on Taiwan. Beijing responded by summoning Japan's ambassador, issuing travel warnings to Chinese citizens and imposing trade restrictions.
Beijing has criticized references to a "free and open Indo‑Pacific," portraying the language as an effort to divide the region into rival blocs. Japanese media report Takaichi will reprise the theme in a foreign policy speech on Saturday, urging cooperation to ensure security, free trade and stable supply chains, including for energy and critical minerals.
Speech and Media Access
Takaichi will deliver the speech at a Hanoi university. According to reports, foreign media have been denied access to the event.
Why It Matters: The visit highlights Japan's strategic outreach in Southeast Asia — balancing economic engagement with efforts to build a resilient regional architecture amid growing geopolitical competition.
Help us improve.
