Japan seeks regional sway as PM Ishiba courts Vietnam, Philippines on trade and security

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's visit to two Southeast Asian countries this week signals Tokyo's desire to "strongly anchor" itself in the region and "reassure" Vietnam and the Philippines of its support amid growing Chinese maritime assertiveness, analysts have said. Kei Koga, an associate professor in public policy and global affairs at Singapore's NTU, said Ishiba's visit was aimed at reassuring Southeast Asian countries that, despite Tokyo's close alliance with the United States, its diplomatic focus remained "strongly anchored in the region". Given the uncertainty surrounding US President Donald Trump's return to office, an "increasingly assertive" China might see an opening to undermine confidence in US commitment to the region, Koga said.

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