Japan, Vietnam Prime Ministers To Meet On Monday
The prime ministers of Japan and Vietnam will hold talks on Monday, when Suga Yoshihide meets with Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the Vietnamese Prime Minister's office in Hanoi.
Suga arrived in Vietnam on Sunday at the start of his first overseas trip since taking office. He is also scheduled to give a speech on Japan's policy regarding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Vietnam will chair an ASEAN summit next month.
In talks with Phuc, Suga hopes to reaffirm Japan's cooperation with Vietnam in creating a free and open Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law, as China increases its activities in the South China Sea.
Suga aims to enhance security cooperation with Vietnam.
The leaders are expected to discuss an agreement to promote the transfer of defense equipment to Vietnam and technological cooperation.
Suga also aims to boost economic ties with Vietnam. Japan is hoping to strengthen supply chains for masks and other goods amid the still spreading coronavirus pandemic.
The leaders are expected to exchange views on resuming business travel at an early date.
