[Provisional translation]
(Reporter)
I am Oshiyama of TV Asahi. Madame Prime Minister, you will soon be visiting Viet Nam and Australia. Could you tell us why you selected these countries and what outcomes you expect from the summit meetings?
(Prime Minister Takaichi)
Yes. Shortly, I will be departing for my visit to Vietnam and Australia.
Vietnam serves an important role as a key hub in Japan’s supply chains, including for medical supplies. With the new leadership that took office in April, I intend to position economic security as a new pillar of cooperation between our two countries.
In addition, I plan to deliver a foreign policy speech that will include updating the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” initiative.
Regarding my visit to Australia, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Japan–Australia Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. On this milestone occasion, I have been invited by Prime Minister Albanese. I hope to elevate Japan–Australia relations to a new height through discussions covering a broad range of areas, including security, economic security encompassing critical minerals and energy such as LNG (liquefied natural gas), and people-to-people exchanges.
Furthermore, through this series of visits, and in light of the current situation in the Middle East, I intend to confirm cooperation on ensuring stable energy supplies within Asia and on strengthening supply chain resilience, including with respect to critical minerals. These efforts are also important for securing vital resources for Japan, such as crude oil and petroleum products.
Taking into account the increasingly severe international environment, I wish to set out concrete forms of cooperation that will enhance the autonomy and resilience of each country. I will now depart.
(Reporter)
(Oshiyama, TV Asahi) May I ask one additional question? At the same time, in light of China’s increasingly assertive maritime activities and economic coercion in recent years, the two countries are also important economic partners, could you share your views?
(Prime Minister Takaichi)
When you say “the two countries,” which countries are you referring to?
(Reporter)
(Oshiyama, TV Asahi) Japan and China are important economic partners. I would like to ask for your assessment.
(Prime Minister Takaichi)
As I have stated previously, China is an important neighbor. Japan remains consistently open to dialogue. We intend to respond firmly and strategically moving forward.