Growing Vietnam ties test Japan’s commitment to rules-based regional order
Japan’s growing strategic partnership with Vietnam is putting Tokyo’s commitment to a rules-based regional order under scrutiny, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces calls to press Hanoi over its failure to honour labour rights commitments. The issue is expected to surface during Vietnamese President To Lam’s four-day visit to Tokyo from Sunday, raising questions about how far Japan is prepared…
Japan's expanding strategic alliance with Vietnam is raising questions about Tokyo's commitment to a rules-based regional order, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces pressure to address labor rights issues with Hanoi. During Vietnamese President To Lam's four-day visit to Tokyo, concerns have emerged about how far Japan is willing to defend the principles of a major Pacific trade agreement when its economic and security interests are at stake.
HRW urges Takaichi to confront Lam over Vietnam's failure to implement promised labor reforms, but analysts believe Japan is unlikely to jeopardize its growing partnership with Vietnam, a key ally in its efforts to counter China's assertiveness in the South China Sea.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
