Editorial

16:27 JST, October 13, 2024

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has expressed his intention to prioritize Japan’s existing cooperative relations with Southeast Asian countries, without adhering to his original views on security, during meetings with leaders of these countries. This may have reassured those nations for now.

Ishiba can be said to have completed his first overseas visit since becoming prime minister without problems.

He attended summit talks related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Laos.

At an ASEAN-Japan summit, Ishiba conveyed Japan’s stance of strengthening maritime security cooperation through such means as the provision of patrol vessels.

Tensions have risen recently in the South China Sea as China Coast Guard vessels have repeatedly collided with Philippine ships.

The........

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