Japan’s New PM Takaichi Meets with ASEAN Leaders

Kuala Lumpur, Oct. 26 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a meeting with leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. This is Takaichi’s first foreign trip since she took office Tuesday. She is expected to stress the importance of an international order based on the rule of law, apparently with in mind China, which is expanding coercive actions in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. With next year marking 10 years since the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe proposed the free and open Indo-Pacific initiative, Takaichi is seen calling for further strengthening Japan’s relations with ASEAN nations, which are located in a strategically important area between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. In addition to helping ASEAN nations secure patrol ships and develop related human resources, Takaichi will promise to increase support for them under Japan’s official security assistance program, which includes exports of defense equipment. The leaders participating in the meeting will likely agree to enhance economic relations between Japan and ASEAN, and affirm their cooperation in cybersecurity. At the end of the meeting, the Japanese and ASEAN leaders will adopt a joint statement summing up their discussions. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]