Ten years have passed since then-Prime Minister Abe Shinzo first proposed the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision in 2016. Connecting the United States, Japan, Australia, India, and ASEAN nations, FOIP has evolved into a framework aimed at regional stability and prosperity, grounded in the rule of law and free economic activity. Meanwhile, the environment surrounding the Indo-Pacific has shifted dramatically, marked by intensifying geopolitical competition and the fragmentation of supply chains. In May 2026, Prime Minister Takaichi outlined a direction to further evolve FOIP, positioning “autonomy” and “resilience” as its new central pillars. On May 2, 2026, during her visit to Vietnam, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae delivered a major foreign policy speech at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, centered on the theme of an updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).” This year, 2026, marks exactly a decade since Prime Minister Abe Shinzo announced the ... ... [Read more]