LIVE: Reuters NEXT Newsmaker featuring Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi | REUTERS

Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi plays a crucial role in Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government at a time when tensions between the United States and China have put a renewed focus on Japan’s relationships with both countries.

A close ally of Washington, Japan remains one of China’s key trading partners, but has in recent years built up defenses aimed at helping deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Japan is also pushing ahead with plans to build more resilient supply chains for chips and critical materials, and hopes to draw more global investment to make Tokyo an international financial hub.

Reuters Japan Bureau Chief Yukiko Toyoda speaks with Hayashi – a veteran politician who has served as defence minister, foreign minister and agriculture minister – about the myriad opportunities and challenges now facing Japan.

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