[Provisional translation]
(Reporter)
My name is Kanno and I am with the Fuji Television Network. Thank you for taking my question. Madame Prime Minister, a little earlier, you held a summit telephone meeting first with Mr. To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of Viet Nam, and then another with Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan. Please tell us what you discussed in your meetings and your key takeaways.
(Prime Minister Takaichi)
In the Japan-Viet Nam summit telephone meeting we just concluded, I offered my congratulations to General Secretary Lam on his reappointment as General Secretary and on his assumption of the office of President.
Alongside that, we discussed recent developments in the Middle East situation and confirmed that we will cooperate to strengthen the energy resilience of the Asian region as a whole, keeping in mind its impact on the Asian economy. With Viet Nam having the sixth-largest rare earth reserves in the world, cooperation with Viet Nam is extremely important for Japan's economic security.
In the Japan-Pakistan summit telephone meeting that followed, I expressed my respect and stated my support for the mediation efforts made by Prime Minister Sharif and Pakistan regarding the U.S.-Iran talks held in Islamabad.
I conveyed to him Japan's position that what matters most is that going forward, de-escalation, including ensuring the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, is steadily achieved, and that a final agreement should be reached promptly through dialogue.
I also explained that Japan has been closely communicating with both the United States and Iran at the head of state level and making diplomatic efforts toward an early de-escalation of the situation.
In addition, I emphasized that there is an urgent need to restore the stability of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint for global logistics and an international public good, and that it is essential to ensure the freedom and safety of navigation as soon as possible for all vessels, including those of Japan and other Asian countries. Prime Minister Sharif explained the talks between the United States and Iran held in Islamabad as well as Pakistan's diplomatic efforts, and stated that he would like to continue to work with Japan towards an early de-escalation of the situation and the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Government of Japan has been working closely with the international community while also advancing various diplomatic initiatives. We intend to actively press forward with our efforts, including those I personally have been engaged in. That is all.
(Reporter)
I am Oshiyama, with TV Asahi. Japan has been asked by Viet Nam to provide it with oil. I would like to know if that topic arose during your summit telephone meeting with the President of Viet Nam. Is the Government thinking of responding positively to that request?
(Prime Minister Takaichi)
In Viet Nam, Japan manufactures petroleum-related products and other things. We have been making necessary responses accordingly. I will refrain from commenting on this in greater detail because this was a diplomatic exchange.