S/ Takaichi Sanae, Japanese Prime Minister / We would like to further strengthen our cooperation with FOIP to make Japan and ASEAN stronger and more prosperous.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae made her full-fledged diplomatic debut at summit talks with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Takaichi emphasized to ASEAN member countries the importance of working closely together to deepen friendship and pursue efforts to become stronger.

She expressed her strong commitment to realizing the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The FOIP initiative was originally proposed by the late former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

Sources close to Takaichi said the new Japanese leader intends to inherit and revive Abe’s foreign affairs policies.

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Japanese Prime Minister / It was extremely meaningful to confirm the strengthening of cooperation with like-minded members of ASEAN, which is key to FOIP and is also a global growth hub.

Takaichi also held bilateral talks with leaders of the Philippines, Malaysia and Australia.

She departed from Malaysia late on October 26 and arrived back in Japan the following morning.