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© Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Suga, in Indonesia, says Southeast Asia key for Japan
By NINIEK KARMINI and MARI YAMAGUCHI JAKARTA, Indonesia©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.
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kurisupisu
PM Suga’s mask wearing seems to be a little sketchy.
Maybe he is immune from catching the virus?
OzBurger
Time for Japan to be a true friend in the Asia-Pacific.
Democracies need to support each other!
Meiyouwenti
What’s Suga doing out there when the first priority of his government should be to draft and implement a third supplementary budget as soon as possible to bolster the economy devastated by the coronavirus outbreak and last year’s consumption tax hike.
Mickelicious
Why not add some rhinestones to the bright suit?
vanityofvanities
Japan must find new friends in Asia-Pacific. They are more reasonable and friendly to us. Forget about South Korea.
Sh1mon M4sada
I hope PM Suga has the courage to ask the hard questions whilst in Indo. Foremost:
Why, despite being the lowest tender Japan didn't win the Jakarta to Bandung rail projects, and how did China, despite spending little to no effort on the tender, won the project?
Why has China still not able to build the project? Delays after delays (four years on), excuses after excuses, and yet no one is responsible?
Why after all this time has Japan been invited back to complete the project, AND to cooperate with China on an even larger project spanning from Jakarta to Surabaya?
Someone in the indo government is on the take for dirty Chinese money. Out him/her, them and lock em up.
If Indonesia was not so corrupt, it could be an extremely good partner with Japan to take advantage of Chinese distrust. Many countries in SE Asia wants high speed rail, but they don't want Chinese CRRC to be involved.
Here's Japan's and Indonesia's opportunity to cease the moment and help build asia. Get rid of corrupt politicians and get on with the task of building your country.
Bjorn Tomention
Good to see Suga's wife Mariko not wearing a silly scarf while there.
Akie
"Suga, in Indonesia, says Southeast Asia key for Japan".
What do you mean ? Is it not key for others ?
Goodlucktoyou
Change the Constitution and we can start to force these nations to be part of a new Asia block ruled by Japan. Before the Second World War, we had a massive empire. We can do it again.
South East Asia countries have rich resources, fisheries, and cheap labor.
we have a very high tech superior Army, Navy and Air Force, and soon a Space force.
if any of these countries don’t agree to colonization and decide to be Aggressive to our good intentions, we have the SOFA agreement as insurance.
we will be backed in the UNSC because the USA is our major alley. They will back us because we can give them bases in our conquered countries that encircle China. Win win!
only obstacle is SK...
JCosplay
Nice to see that the first part of this trip is going well apparently. Now we’ll see how the rest of it will go, especially Vietnam in a day or two.
CrashTestDummy
Suga looks like he is hitting the ground running. Seems like he is making some good economic moves for Japan, but time will tell.
William Round
This is terribly obvious for anybody putting any kind of attention, but hearing Suga expressing it feels strangely ominous, like someone saying that cooperation between neighbors is necessary to keep the streets safe, (and just before putting forward himself as the person in charge of doing it)
Goodlucktoyou
When people commented on our new Suga, they commented that he lacks diplomatic skills. But have you seen his person to interperson skills. Luckily the Japanese Govt jumbo jet fits 200 aides.
Wakarimasen
Very true. Pre virus the girly bars in Thailand and Philippines and Jakarta and HCMC were full of Japanese "businessmen".
sf2k
yeah forget China, other nations and democracies are key to a happy life
Udondashi
Yoshihide Suga is a believer of the Takenaka Heizo so i would not be surprised if he went to guarantee more blue collar workforce for Pasona Group.
TARA TAN KITAOKA
Not keeping up with Asian politics is the weak point of Japan .
h.jaffar sadiq
dear's Greatest Leader's wearing mask and social distence Thanks lord.
Seth M
ASEAN and India are of the greatest interests of Japan in this century. Bring them together, China will be contained. Not to mention India can turn into the next China but nice and peaceful
u_s__reamer
"The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere Part 2" is the name of the game and Indonesia with the fourth largest population in the world, its abundant raw materials and exploitable cheap labor is the "crown jewel" that Japan cannot afford to let slip from its sphere of influence. One caveat, though, would be the underlying political instability and volatility in this ethnically diverse, developing country with complex growing pains coming over the horizon. The Japanese will need to tread carefully for the nationalistic Indonesians can be quick to take offense if slighted and run "amok" (their word).