Japan's "Xianglin Sao" Minerals Locked Up, High-Level Talks on Supply Chains Headed to Vietnam and Australia

Prime Minister Kōichi Suga will visit Vietnam and Australia from the 1st to the 5th, holding summits with leaders of both countries.

On the afternoon of the 1st, before departure, Prime Minister Suga stated at the Prime Minister's Official Residence that Vietnam, which he is visiting for the first time, is "a crucial base for Japan’s supply chain, including medical supplies," and emphasized his hope to "initiate new cooperation centered on economic security" with Vietnam's newly inaugurated leadership in April. He will meet with top leader To Lam to discuss responses to the Iran situation and support for energy supply.

He will also deliver a speech based on the concept of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” proposed by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, marking the 10th anniversary of the proposal.

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “With evolving international circumstances, the concept of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific has undergone changes; cooperation in the field of economic security will become a new cornerstone.”

In Australia, given that Japan’s improved “Kongō”-class destroyer was selected as the next-generation frigate, Japan will confirm strengthened collaboration across multiple fields, including defense and economic security.

After visiting Vietnam, Prime Minister Suga will proceed to Australia to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Japan and Australia. Suga revealed: “The Australian Prime Minister invited me to attend this significant occasion.”

Suga stated: “Energy—including critical minerals—and liquefied natural gas (LNG) will be central themes of the Japan-Australia summit, expressing enthusiasm for 'broad-based cooperation to elevate Japan-Australia relations to a new level.'”

Suga added: “We will also confirm cooperation on stable energy supply and supply chain resilience, including key minerals in Asia,” and “I believe these summits with Vietnam and Australia are vital for Japan’s procurement of essential goods such as crude oil and petroleum products.”

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863967276171466/

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