Japan, Vietnam to discuss Ukraine response

On Sunday in Hanoi, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh, with the two sides expected to discuss cooperating in their responses to Russia's war in Ukraine.

On the second leg of Kishida's eight-day tour through Southeast Asia and Europe, the two leaders are expected to confirm their commitment to closer bilateral cooperation in the security and economic fields.

The focus has been on whether the two can work together over Russia's aggression. Japan is stepping up its sanctions on Moscow in coordination with other Group of Seven nations, but Vietnam is known for its ties with Moscow going back to the Soviet era. Hanoi abstained from a UN vote in March on a resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Kishida said he was convinced that we can join hands with Vietnam for the peace and stability of the region and the world, and that he attended a dinner hosted by Chinh on Saturday.

Kishida has repeatedly stated that Russia's invasion has shaken the foundation of international order, and said before heading for Indonesia on Friday that his trip, including Thailand, Italy and Britain, is aimed at building peace.

During the meeting in Hanoi, Kishida is expected to talk about the specifics of cooperation with Vietnam toward realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, a vision that Japan has been promoting as the region faces an increasingly assertive China.

The two last held a meeting when Chinh was invited to Japan in November after Kishida became prime minister in the previous month.