Takaichi Visit to Vietnam, Australia Being Arranged; Leaders Would Discuss Security, Economic Cooperation

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:56 JST, April 5, 2026

Arrangements are being made for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to visit Vietnam and Australia during the Golden Week holidays that will start late this month, it has been learned.

The visits are planned sometime between late April to early May, according to several government sources. They are aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in areas such as security and economics, and at promoting cooperation under the free and open Indo-Pacific initiative, which Takaichi advocates in her foreign policy.

A final decision will be made after assessing the tense situation in the Middle East, the sources said.

The government positions Vietnam and Australia as important partners in the Indo-Pacific. During her visits to the two countries, Takaichi may announce her own version of the initiative, which would focus on three areas: strengthening the economic foundation; seeking economic growth through solving challenges; and cooperating in the security field.

Takaichi is also expected to hold talks with her counterparts in Vietnam and Australia. The leaders will likely discuss strengthening security cooperation with an eye on China, as that country has been using its military power as a backdrop for unilateral maritime expansion in the South China Sea and other areas, the sources said.

The prime minister is further expected to confirm with the Vietnamese and Australian leaders that their countries will also expand cooperation in economic security, including the strengthening of supply chains for rare earths and other key minerals, according to the sources.

Securing stable energy resources is also expected to be on the agenda during the envisioned summits, the sources said.

As Australia is the largest supplier of liquefied natural gas and coal for Japan, Takaichi is expected to use her talks with her Australian counterpart to ensure Japan’s stable procurement of these resources.