Overview
- Meeting Vietnamese leaders Saturday in Hanoi, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sealed six accords that prioritize energy, critical minerals and technology to steady ties after a sharp drop in new Japanese investment this year.
- In a Hanoi address updating Japan’s Free and Open Indo‑Pacific vision, she pledged a more proactive role, stressing open sea lanes and avoiding reliance on a single supplier for key goods.
- She arrived in Canberra Sunday to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with plans to reinforce their special strategic partnership that focuses on energy security, critical minerals and defense projects.
- Under Japan’s $10 billion Power Asia program, Tokyo will help arrange crude supplies for Vietnam’s Nghi Son refinery to support that country’s energy self‑reliance.
- Japan is diversifying fuel sources as Middle East shipping remains disrupted, with a trade ministry official confirming a Sakhalin‑2 crude shipment from Russia as part of the broader effort.