PM Takaichi Visits Vietnam, Revamps Free and Open Indo-Pacific Doctrine

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi traveled to Hanoi (May 1–3) and delivered a major foreign policy speech revamping Japan's decade-old Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy on its 10th anniversary. The updated doctrine added 'economic security' as a third pillar alongside rule of law and connectivity. Takaichi signed an oil and rare-earth supply pact with Vietnam and committed to growing bilateral trade to $60 billion by 2030. The visit was the centrepiece of a Golden Week diplomatic offensive that continued with a May 3–5 visit to Australia, reinforcing Japan's Pacific partnerships amid mounting pressure from China and North Korea.