Japan as China counterweight? All eyes on Fumio Kishida’s trip agenda in Philippines, Malaysia

Kishida’s visit is seen as Japan’s most significant commitment to regional ties in decades, amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea

The Japanese leader is expected to seek closer military cooperation with Malaysia and the Philippines, according to analysts

4-MIN READ4-MIN

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following a joint press conference in Tokyo on February 9, 2023. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 7:00pm, 1 Nov 2023Updated: 9:28am, 2 Nov 2023

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to strengthen maritime and defence cooperation in Southeast Asia during a coming trip to the Philippines and Malaysia, while assuring his country remains committed to security in the region as a key US ally.

During his three-day trip beginning on Friday in the Philippines, Kishida is expected to boost bilateral ties and help Manila deal with growing Chinese aggression, according to analysts.

The Japanese leader is also likely to reassure Southeast Asia that even as US attention is tied up with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, Japan will maintain “a steady presence” in the region.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Kishida was expected to hold talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Japan is in the final stages of negotiations on its offer of military equipment to the Philippines and setting a date for the signing of an agreement under Tokyo’s security assistance programme, Matsuno said.