Mr. Yoshihide will visit Vietnam on Sunday and Monday, his first overseas trip as the Japanese PM, just as his predecessor, Abe Shinzo, did in 2012 after being elected PM for a second term. Mr. Yoshihide said the COVID-19 epidemic is under control in Vietnam, so it was chosen as his first destination. This will strengthen relations with Vietnam and promote relations with ASEAN as tensions escalate between the US and China in the South China Sea (known as the East Sea in Vietnam).

Mr. Yoshihide will hold talks with the leaders of Vietnam and Indonesia about economic aid, COVID-19 prevention, and easier travel to Japan for international students and interns. The PM intends to promote closer cooperation with Vietnam and Indonesia toward a free and open Indo-Pacific region.