It is important to deepen relationships of trust with friendly nations in Southeast Asia and maintain peace and prosperity in the region.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has visited Vietnam and Indonesia on his first overseas trip since taking office. In his talks with the leaders of the two countries, Suga agreed with them to cooperate in the economic and security fields.
Vietnam and Indonesia are both key countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and have strong economic ties with Japan. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also chose countries including those two nations as his first overseas destinations after his second Cabinet was inaugurated.
Suga's move this time is apparently aimed at not only clarifying Japan's stance of attaching importance to ASEAN, but also advancing and substantiating the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" vision advocated by the Abe administration.
In his speech in Hanoi, concerning another Indo-Pacific vision compiled last year by ASEAN on its own, Suga said that "ASEAN and Japan fully share fundamental principles." It is significant that Japan and ASEAN confirmed that they have common values, such as the rule of law and freedom.
As for the situation surrounding the South China Sea, Suga said that there are "moves that run counter to the rule of law and openness," thus holding China in check without mentioning it by name.
China's moves, flouting international rules and continuing its hegemonic behavior, are unacceptable. Japan must work closely with the United States and other countries concerned to persistently urge China to exercise self-restraint.
Japan has relations with each ASEAN country in such broad areas as security and the economy. It is important for Japan to promote multilateral cooperation with ASEAN countries based on its relationships of trust with them.
In Suga's meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the two reached a substantial agreement on the transfer of defense equipment and technology, which would allow Japan to export defense equipment and other items to Vietnam. Cooperation in the security field between the two countries can be said to have taken a major step forward.
The two leaders also agreed to strengthen the supply chain for items such as medical products, and resume short-term travel among businesspeople between the countries.
It is worrisome that Japan currently depends on China for imports of masks and protective clothing for medical purposes, among other products. It is appropriate to diversify the supply network and review the dependence on China. With many Japanese companies operating in ASEAN countries, such efforts are expected to help expand employment of local workers there.
There is concern that ASEAN members could find themselves torn between the United States and China because of their strong economic ties with China. Japan needs to support efforts that contribute to sound social and economic development, taking into consideration the circumstances of each country.
Suga's visits to the two countries were the first overseas travel by a Japanese prime minister since Abe visited the Middle East in January this year.
Multinational cooperation is becoming more important and there are many pending issues such as trade negotiations. The prime minister's strategy will be called into question as to how to promote international cooperation by taking advantage of limited opportunities for head-of-state diplomacy.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on Oct. 21, 2020.
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