On December 12, 2017, Mr. Sonoura Kentaro, the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, former Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, delivered a short lecture on Japan’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific region at Vietnam Japan University (VJU).
Mr. Sonoura Kentaro – Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, former Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Mr. Sonoura Kentaro started his talk by presenting two important trade corridors between Vietnam and its neighboring countries, namely East-West Economic Corridor and Southern Economic Corridor. Two gateways of these trade corridors, Da Nang Port and Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port, were funded by ODA from Japan for construction of infrastructure. Mr Sonoura Kentaro believed by providing ODA grants to high-quality key infrastructure projects, Japan could help Vietnam boost economic growth and extend its influence in Asia, .
According to Mr. Sonoura Kentaro, Asian economies are to drive global growth with their enormous potential, e.g. abundant natural resources, strategic geographic location and young workforce. An important point is to support stability and prosperity of the region, especially by promoting good order at sea against threats such as insecurity, maritime terrorism and natural disasters. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe thus called for ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy’ which aims to connect parts of Africa and Asia via support of facilities and equipment , thereby improving economic well-being and security in the region. The strategy embodies three core interests in terms of maritime security:
Firstly, fostering and shaping fundamental values like freedom of navigation and compliance with international law.
Secondly, improving connectivity through building infrastructure like harbors and roads of international standards.
Thirdly, promoting peace and stability by providing aids, developing enforcement ability , and fighting against terrorism.
