Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba began a four-day visit to Malaysia and Indonesia on Thursday to meet with leaders as Tokyo seeks to strengthen economic and security ties with Southeast Asian countries.
Japan views members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as important partners in defending a free and open Indo-Pacific and ensuring a rules-based order in a region where China’s influence is growing.
This will be the first time for Ishiba, who took office as Japan’s prime minister in October, to travel overseas solely for a bilateral summit meeting.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (C) and his wife Yoshiko arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on January 9, 2025 (Kyodo News)
Ishiba said, “We will spend time discussing the future of this region, security issues, and how realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific will contribute to the peace and security of the international community (with the leaders of Malaysia and Indonesia).” I intend to do so,” he said. He spoke to reporters before departing from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
“As the global environment becomes increasingly uncertain, we place greater importance on our relationship with Southeast Asia than ever before,” he said.
Ishiba arrived in Malaysia, which is located near a major shipping route, on Thursday, a day before he was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss security cooperation and efforts to ensure a stable supply chain. Malaysia is this year’s ASEAN chair.
Japanese officials said Ishiba will then visit Indonesia, where he is expected to reach an agreement with President Prabowo Subianto on Saturday for Japan to provide a high-speed patrol boat.
Indonesia is one of the countries receiving defense equipment transfers from Japan under a program aimed at strengthening security ties with like-minded countries.
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Prime Minister Ishiba has so far ruled out forming a grand coalition.
