Ishiba eyes stronger ASEAN ties, expresses concern over South China Sea

Nice editorial trick here to suggest that ASEAN expressed serious concern over militarization, etc. ASEAN did no such thing but of course Ishiba like the PMs before him robotically made the statement about the SCS.

New Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday agreed with his Association of Southeast Asian Nations counterparts to beef up their cooperation, while expressing serious concern over "militarization and coercive acts" in the South China Sea, the Japanese government said.

Joining hands and building bridges is an ongoing and a never-ending exercise in world-building. Wishing the leaders patience, strength, courage, and stamina in their positive and constructive endeavors.

Why always the awkward pose?