The Indo-Pacific era should not and must not be defined by the U.S.-China strategic competition.

How should and how can Japan navigate the world's emerging transformative and chaotic landscape?

Japan's sustained economic growth and regional stability will not be served if Japan-China relations are securitized.

Despite Abe's electoral victory, the result is not an overwhelming mandate for transformative change.

Japan should leverage the G20 summit in Osaka to highlight its leadership, political stability and commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based order.

Unorthodox leadership and policies from Washington have provided Japan opportunities for regional and global leadership.

Diplomacy requires leaders to find ways to enhance and build their relations.

Japan's size, resources, location and track record of promoting and abiding by a rules-based international order gives it a leading role in building a middle power coalition for the Indo-Pacific region.

Without a substantial agreement in Hanoi, we are likely to see Pyongyang retain its nuclear deterrent while it continues its modus operandi of extracting concessions for modest compromises.