Overview
- Sanae Takaichi arrived in Gyeongju and held her first in‑person summit with President Lee Jae Myung, with both leaders pledging future‑oriented cooperation and continued shuttle diplomacy.
- Japan says talks are being arranged for Takaichi to meet China’s Xi Jinping on Friday at APEC, with expectations of reaffirming a constructive, mutually beneficial relationship.
- On October 29 Takaichi and India’s Narendra Modi held a 25‑minute phone call, recommitting to a Free and Open Indo‑Pacific including Quad coordination and expanding cooperation across security, economy, investment, innovation and exchanges.
- Modi emphasized economic security, defence cooperation and talent mobility as priorities, and Takaichi said she aims to open a “new golden chapter” in the Japan‑India partnership.
- The diplomatic sprint follows her Tokyo meeting with President Donald Trump and early security steps at home, including appointing FOIP architect Keiichi Ichikawa as national security adviser and pledging to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP by March.