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.

Ishiba's visit to Malaysia marks his first overseas trip since he took office, in October, except for a tour to South America to attend international conferences in November. The Japanese government views Malaysia, this year's ASEAN chair, as key to diplomacy with Global South developing and emerging countries.

Dr Taizo Miyagi of Chuo University told The Straits Times that while the relationship that Japan has built with Asean since the end of World War II has been a “great asset for its diplomacy”, Japan’s presence in the region has inevitably weakened relative to China’s.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has paid visits to Malaysia, which this year holds the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Natio･･･

Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and his counterpart Anwar Ibrahim ... year's first-ever joint drill by Japan's Self-Defense Forces and Malaysia's military. Ishiba said Japan will steadily provide ...

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba arrived here today for a two-day official visit to Malaysia, his first visit to the country since assuming offic

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was in Malaysia and met with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Friday to strengthen defense and economic ties with Southeast Asian countries as China’s threats grow in the region.

PETALING JAYA : Malaysia and Japan have agreed to strengthen educational collaboration and elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership level.

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 ...

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is visiting Malaysia and Indonesia to bolster defense and economic partnerships amid rising tensions with China in the region