Japan's Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga (Image via: Guardian)

Vietnam and Indonesia: First Two Countries to be Visited by Suga

Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has set out his plan for his first overseas trip. The thought then arose to visit two Southeast Asian countries in October this year. Talks are planned to be held between him and the leaders of the two Southeast Asian countries he plans to visit, namely Indonesia and Vietnam. Suga seeks to talk with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc of Vietnam and President Joko Widodo of Indonesia.

He will announce his decision whether the visits will be done upon evaluating the covid-19 situation in Japan and the two other Southeast Asian countries. It is reported that the covid-19 situation in Indonesia and Vietnam is relatively unchanging, in comparison to the United States and some other countries.

The purpose of the trip is to strengthen the relations with countries in Southeast Asian region. Tensions are apparent between China and several Southeast Asian countries. There are disputes over territorial integrity over the South China Sea, and opposition to China’s forceful approach to Taiwan.

In-person talks between the leaders is essential for diplomacy, according to Katsunobu Kato, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary. Japan aspires toward a free and open Indo-Pacific, maintained rule of law, free navigation and overflight, and peaceable settlement of disagreements.

Vietnam and Indonesia were also opted for by Suga’s predecessor, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when he became Prime Minister for the second term in 2012.

Source: https://bit.ly/33ndBJE