TOKYO – New Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Saturday left Tokyo for Kuala Lumpur, where she will face her first major diplomatic test at summit meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Takaichi is making a three-day trip to the Malaysian capital, just days after being elected Japan’s first female premier. The conservative leader hopes to make her presence felt on the international stage, prior to her meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday in Tokyo.
The Japanese government seeks to bolster relations with nations in Southeast Asia, where key sea lanes are located and economic growth continues.
“I hope to build close relations with ASEAN leaders and produce great results,” Takaichi told reporters ahead of her departure.
Japan and ASEAN are also arranging to issue a joint statement highlighting their cooperation toward realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law, according to Japanese officials.
On Sunday, she plans to meet with leaders of the group and take part in a summit of the Asia Zero Emission Community, a decarbonization framework launched by Japan in 2023.
Takaichi is also seeking to arrange bilateral talks with leaders of other participating countries.
AloJapan.com