Japan’s new Prime Minister eyes Vietnam for first foreign trip in October
Bui Hung – VOV correspondent in Japan -
(VOVWORLD) - New Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide is scheduled to visit Vietnam and Indonesia in mid-October, his first trip abroad as Prime Minister. A final decision on the schedule of events will be based on the current COVID-19 situation.
 Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide (Photo: Reuters) |
Suga is expected to meet with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Indonesian President Joko Widodo to strengthen bilateral ties. His trip also aims to boost Japan’s relationship with ASEAN to protect regional peace and security as tension grows between the US and China over the South China Sea (known as the East Sea in Vietnam).
Vietnam has the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2020. Indonesia has the largest population in ASEAN and is a G20 member. Suga’s predecessor, Abe Shinzo, also chose Vietnam for his first foreign trip after being elected Prime Minister in 2012.
Suga’s visit to Vietnam and Indonesia immediately after taking office reflects a promise to follow the legacy of Abe Shinzo, especially in foreign policy.
Bui Hung – VOV correspondent in Japan