Sanae Takaichi summoned the leaders of three countries to discuss oil security, and one sentence changed everyone's expression at the venue: Can we do it without relying on China?

Japan's Kyodo News reported that on the 24th, Takaichi held telephone talks with Philippine President Marcos, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar, and Marshall Islands President Hain. The three parties reached a consensus on ensuring oil supply during the call, and Takaichi stated that navigation safety in the Strait of Hormuz must be guaranteed. As soon as she said this, it is estimated that everyone on site changed their expressions.

How can we ensure the safety of the Strait of Hormuz, which is thousands of miles away? Is it relying on Takaichi's words? Even the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet cannot guarantee it, so how can Takaichi ensure it? Relying solely on the loose cooperation between Japan and the Philippines, Malaysia, and the Marshall Islands cannot construct an effective safety mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz.

Kyodo News pointed out in its analysis that Takaichi's move aims to send a signal to the international community, indicating that Japan is attempting to build a security cooperation network in the Asia-Pacific independent of China, and it is even seen as a strategic trial of "de-Sinicization."

Brother Dao believes that the core motivation behind Takaichi's actions is not merely a pragmatic consideration for oil security, but more out of a strategic calculation. Japan urgently needs to present a concrete "report card" to prove its value. By rallying Asia-Pacific allies to jointly express their stance, Japan is trying to create the illusion of "multinational cooperation" to reduce its own risks and costs, and to prove to the outside world that it has not been isolated.