After Ishiba’s meeting with Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi this week, both sides agreed to boost bilateral trade, deepen political and security ties, and uphold global rules on the free flow of goods.
“The world economy is becoming more uncertain, and the impact on the Southeast Asian region is also becoming apparent,” Ishiba told reporters on Monday after a meeting with Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
“We will cooperate to maintain a free and open international order based on the rule of law,” Ishiba added.
Vietnam’s top leader To Lam urged Japan to increase investment in infrastructure projects after he met Ishiba on Sunday, according to a report on the Hanoi government’s portal.
The leaders of Japan and the Philippines agreed on Tuesday at the start of discussions to pave the way for major security pacts, aiming to further strengthen their defence ties with China in mind.
