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.

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.

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.

The tour of the two Southeast Asian countries marks Ishiba's first overseas trip since taking office in October.

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.

Malaysia will collaborate with Japan to expedite the reconstruction of Gaza following the recently achieved ceasefire, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, right, and his wife Yoshiko, center, prepare to depart on a government plane from Tokyo's Haneda airport on Jan. 9, 2025, headed for Malaysia. (Kyodo) KUALA LUMPUR (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ...

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is on a four-day tour of Malaysia and Indonesia, where he hopes to secure the supply of liquefied natural gas and boost defence cooperation with both countries. Japan has agreed to lend its expertise and support ...

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 speaks to the media, ahead of his tour of Malaysia and Indonesia, at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Jan. 9, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP) Japanese Prime ...

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

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