Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Saturday pledged to play an even ¡°more proactive¡± role? in the Indo-Pacific, in an update of Japan¡¯s decade-old regional security and economic strategy during a speech in Hanoi.

¡°In this region, which holds the key to the future peace and stability of the international community, I am reaffirming my resolve to fulfill Japan¡¯s role ¡ª as we have always done, and indeed, be more proactive than ever ¡ª in building an international order based on freedom, openness, diversity, inclusivity and the rule of law,¡± Takaichi said in a livestreamed speech to university students in Hanoi.

Takaichi¡¯s address, which showcased Japan¡¯s revamped ¡°Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy¡± (FOIP), comes as Tokyo looks to shore up ties in Asia to counter China¡¯s clout and offset uncertainty about the U.S. that has grown under President Donald Trump.