Japan’s Kishida eyes Asean to drum up support for Russia sanctions, China concerns
- Analysts say Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is showing the rest of the world that Japan is a ‘serious player’ in flurry of meetings with other leaders
- The Japanese leader is heading to Asean countries to seek support for sanctions against Russia; building alliances in light of Chinese assertiveness
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to have a busy diplomatic schedule in the coming weeks as he seeks to use a flurry of meetings with visiting leaders and a coming Southeast Asia tour to corral firm support from Asia on sanctions against Russia.
Having passed the six-month mark of his prime ministership on April 4, Kishida may also be eyeing a means to burnish his domestic credentials as a respected statesman with the high-intensity set of meetings, analysts say.
Nikkei Asia last week reported Kishida was planning to travel during Japan’s Golden Week from late April to early May, with possible stops in Indonesia – this year’s G20 meetings host – Thailand, Vietnam as well Europe “if his schedule allows”.
After that the Japanese leader is expected to play host on May 24 to the three other leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad: United States President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The attendance of the Australian leader is not yet confirmed – he is facing a federal election on May 21 and may not make the trip depending on the vote’s outcome. Biden is expected to attend bilateral talks with Kishida ahead of the Quad summit.