Japan’s Takaichi to hold talks in Vietnam on economic security, critical minerals

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives in Hanoi on Saturday for high-level talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, focusing on economic security and strategic cooperation in critical minerals, energy, and artificial intelligence. The meeting comes as resource-poor Japan seeks to diversify supply chains amid the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israeli war against Iran, and China's export controls on rare earth elements. Both sides are expected to release an outcome document promoting collaborative ties in these fields, aligning with Japan's updated free and open Indo-Pacific vision.

Beyond economic issues, the discussions will address national security concerns, particularly China's intensified military activities in the resource-rich South China Sea. Japan has been strengthening ties with ASEAN members, including Vietnam, as part of its strategic pivot. Tokyo held its first two-plus-two meeting with Vietnam in December 2025, and is now considering including Hanoi in its Official Security Assistance framework, launched in 2023 to provide defense equipment to like-minded nations. This visit underscores Japan's proactive approach to securing critical resources and bolstering regional partnerships against geopolitical headwinds.