[Title] Press Conference by Prime Minister Takaichi regarding Her Attendance at the Upcoming ASEAN-related Summit Meetings

(On Prime Minister Takaichi's attendance at the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) related Summit Meetings as the first overseas trip, and on the results the Prime Minister intends to achieve through meetings with leaders of ASEAN and other participating leaders)

I will be traveling to Malaysia to attend the series of ASEAN-related Summit Meetings. ASEAN is situated at the crossroads of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It's also one of the world's key growth centers, and a core pillar of Japan's "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP) initiative. I intend to use this opportunity to deepen mutual trust with the leaders of ASEAN and to achieve significant results.

Following that, there will also be the AZEC Leaders' Meeting, which Japan and Malaysia will co-chair.

Since I will be in Malaysia, I also plan to hold a number of bilateral meetings with leaders — not only with the host country, Malaysia, but also with the leaders of the Philippines and Australia, as I mentioned in my policy speech yesterday. Through these talks, I aim to contribute to the peace and prosperity of the region, which is directly tied to protecting Japan's national interests.

Including my remote participation in last night's conference held in London (Virtual Leaders Meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine), this marks the second major step in my diplomatic schedule. Japan's diplomacy will continue to flourish at the heart of the international community.

(On whether the reported phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump has taken place)

No, not yet.