At ASEAN-related summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reaffirmed her commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific in her diplomatic debut. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, attending Monday's meetings, stressed cooperation on financial sectors and food security with ASEAN, China, and South Korea. Takaichi left late Sunday to prepare for U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Japan.
On October 27, 2025, ASEAN-related summits took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made her diplomatic debut at the Japan-ASEAN summit on Sunday. Speaking in English, she stated, “Japan and ASEAN have built a relationship as ‘Trusted Partners’ with ‘heart to heart’ connections through long-standing cooperation in a wide range of areas.” She added that Japan would “reposition FOIP as a pillar of Japanese diplomacy” and “further strengthen our collaboration with AOIP [ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific] to make Japan and ASEAN stronger and more prosperous.” Attendees congratulated her on her appointment.
Takaichi's team considered skipping the summit due to the overlap with U.S. President Donald Trump's Monday visit to Japan but decided against it, fearing it would “send the wrong message to China and ASEAN.” She undertook a grueling one-night, three-day schedule. She held consecutive meetings with leaders from the Philippines and Australia, both U.S. allies, confirming strengthened security cooperation. A source accompanying her said, “At this crucial time, bilateral meetings with key countries were realized, impressing upon ASEAN leaders our commitment to prioritizing this region. It was the best possible head start.”
On Monday, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi attended the ASEAN-plus-three summit in Takaichi's place, joined by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Motegi stressed Japan's cooperation in the financial sector and on food security with ASEAN, China, and South Korea. The leaders are expected to issue a joint statement fostering collaboration for economic prosperity, financial stability, sustainable development, and building sustainable regional supply chains.
Takaichi's emphasis on FOIP marks a return to the policy of her mentor, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who launched it in 2016 to promote rule of law, freedom of navigation, and free trade. She has consulted former Abe advisor Takeo Akiba and appointed FOIP drafter Keiichi Ichikawa as National Security Secretariat secretary general. Takaichi expressed intentions to expand the Trans-Pacific Partnership and bolster economic ties through infrastructure and technologies like AI.
Challenges include U.S. friction with Southeast Asia over Trump's tariffs and China's growing economic influence. A source close to Takaichi noted, “Amid instability in ASEAN’s relations with the United States, Japan must take the lead in advancing FOIP.”