Japan’s new Prime Minister pushes Abe’s vision ahead of Asia trip
Hindustan Times: [2] Japan’s new prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, left on Sunday for his first overseas foray since taking over from his predecessor Shinzo Abe last month, heading to Vietnam and Indonesia. [3] The choice to visit southeast Asia underscores Japan’s efforts to counter Chinese influence and build stronger economic and defense ties in the region, much in line with Abe’s vision of “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” that he had pushed with Washington. [4] “ASEAN countries are our important partners for achieving the ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ that Japan has been promoting,” Suga told reporters before boarding his flight to Hanoi. “As part of Indo-Pacific nations, Japan is committed to contribute to the region and I will clearly convey this to the people in and outside of our country.” His trip also reflects pandemic realities. With the US tied up with the November 3 election, Suga was unable to head to Washington straight away for talks with Japan’s most important ally after he replaced Abe, who resigned for health reasons. [5] As he emerges from Abe’s shadow with promises to “work for the people”, Suga is proving in some ways to be even more hard line.
It has raised hackles within Japan and could rile neighbours, already disgruntled by Abe’s nationalist agenda.
Abe had vowed to restore Japan’s waning diplomatic stature and national pride by promoting ultra-nationalistic policies such as traditional family values and amending the post-World War II pacifist constitution to allow a greater overseas military role for his country.
Suga is expected to sign a defense equipment and technology transfer agreement with Vietnam as part of efforts to promote exports of Japanese-made military equipment. It’s a signal that Suga is certain to follow in Abe’s footsteps in diplomacy.
At home, Suga was best known for his behind-the-scenes work pushing Abe’s agenda as chief Cabinet secretary. He has deftly used his modest background as the son of a strawberry farmer and a teacher and his low-profile and hardworking style to craft a more populist image than his predecessor.