Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday began a four-day trip to Malaysia and Indonesia as part of an effort to strengthen defense and economic ties with Southeast Asia as China's threats grow in the region.
The visit, his first for bilateral talks outside of international meetings, shows Japan’s commitment to further those ties even as the U.S. presence in the region may decrease after President-elect Donald Trump takes office later this month.
Malaysia and Indonesia are maritime regional powers near vital shipping lanes and are key to Japanese and global security and the economy, and they share concerns over China's increasing assertiveness, officials say.
Ishiba, who will meet Friday with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, hopes to strengthen security cooperation and discuss efforts to ensure stable supply chains with Malaysia, which is chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year.
On Saturday, Ishiba and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will reportedly sign a deal for Japan's provision of high-speed patrol boats. Talks between the two leaders, who are both former defense ministers, are expected to focus on military cooperation and arms transfers.
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12 Comments
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deanzaZZR
Defense ties? Better to focus on dwindling Japanese economic influence, PM Ishiba.
JJE
This guy couldn't strengthen a weak coffee. He has bluffed himself into believing he is the regional proconsul.
Give your brain a chance for once: Indonesia only wants the boats because they are free.
Pukey2
Indonesia: BRICS member
Malaysia: BRICS partner
TaiwanIsNotChina
Doesn't mean they can't have activities outside of the investment club.
Pukey2
Never said they can't. But I just know some people are crying about this, TaiwanChina
Peter14
Of no relevance at all.
kibousha
"defense" = cheap workers
リッチ
Hope his pickets are full for the donations required in Indoneisa.
OKuniyoshi
Good, build as many ties as possible, with as many countries as possible too. Just don't push the American agenda, in disguise.
Wesley
@ deanzaZZR & JJE
Yeah, I'm sure all the ccp's servants & wumaos feel threatened that the Malaysians & Indonesians might side with the Japanese rather than the china-nese. Hence all the sour-grape comments & nay-saying.
Truth is, the Malaysians and the Indonesians ( especially the native Indonesians...not the chinese-Indonesians) really despise china people buying up their land, properties, invading their waters, etc.
So, I wouldn't be surprised if they did indeed turn towards the Japanese.
Deal with it.
Stay angry & insecure.
TaiwanIsNotChina
No, we know China is pretending to be ascendant for awhile.
deanzaZZR
Childish name calling aside, I don't think there is much to worry about for those in Beijing as Indonesia is a BRICS member and Malaysia is a BRICS partner. The leaders from both countries have visited China in recent months.