Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has begun a tour of Malaysia and Indonesia as part of his effort to further strengthen defense and economic ties with Southeast Asia as threats from China rise in the region.
China is also no longer hesitant to send its aircraft carrier group through narrow straits in the southernmost Nansei Islands to conduct drills.
A delegation from the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito is set to visit China from Monday through Wednesday
Analysts think Ishiba aims to leverage China’s influence for Japan’s gain, but some fear this could weaken the Washington-Tokyo alliance.
China remains as Japan's largest trading partner, with over 13,000 Japanese companies operating in the country. Iwaya emphasized that supporting the activities of Japanese private enterprises remains a key priority, and Japan seeks to advance its relationship with China in a constructive manner.
By dispatching its foreign minister to the event, Tokyo seems intent on asserting its influence – and avoiding being upstaged by Beijing.
Japan, the Philippines and the United States vowed to further deepen cooperation under a trilateral arrangement in the face of rising tensions in Asia's waters, the three countries said following a call among their leaders.
President Prabowo Subianto on Saturday hosted Shigeru Ishiba at the presidential palace in Bogor on the outskirts of Jakarta as part of a visit by the Japanese prime minister to Southeast Asia's largest economy. Both leaders took office last October and this was their first summit meeting together.
Japan’s prime minister picked out three priorities for 2025. But with a minority government, he may be forced to follow the opposition’s preferences.
U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday met virtually with his counterparts from Japan and the Philippines to advance cooperation among the three countries, the White House said. The three leaders discussed trilateral maritime security and economic cooperation,
Japan on Thursday formally inaugurated an independent mission to the NATO military alliance as Tokyo and NATO seek to bolster cooperation amid escalating tension from Russia, China and North Korea
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is visiting Malaysia and Indonesia as part of an effort to strengthen defense and economic ties with Southeast Asia as China’s ...