Kyodo News reported on talks between Mr. Suga and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and quoted the Japanese leader describing Vietnam as a key factor for a free and open Indo-Pacific. It said Prime Minister Suga committed to Japan’scontinuedcontributions to peace and prosperity in the region.

NHK said the two Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of settling disputes in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam) by peaceful means for peace,, stability, and freedom of navigation. It mentioned Prime Minister Suga’s pledge to increase support for ASEAN countries to establish the rule of law in the region.

Nikkei Asia said that Prime Minister Suga also pledged to help Japanese companies diversify their supply chains across Southeast Asia and he has chosen Vietnam and Indonesia as the destinations for his first trip abroad to set his foreign policy priorities.