Ukraine, China in focus for Japan PM Kishida on Southeast Asia visit

div classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivpTOKYO Reuters – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sets off on Friday for an extended visit to Southeast Asia, aiming to marshal regional responses to the Ukraine crisis as well as counter Chinas growing assertiveness in the region. p

pAs Asia‘s sole member of the Group of Seven G7, Japan hopes to hold talks on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and consolidate responses in Southeast Asia, where only one nation, Singapore, has joined sanctions against Russia, officials say.pdivdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodiv

pJapan is also eager to discuss regional security issues relating to Chinas growing assertiveness, while Southeast Asian nations wary of losing access to its economy look to steer clear of an intense confrontation between the United States, a key ally of Japan, and Beijing.p

“The Prime Minister hopes to create even further cooperation towards realising a free and open IndoPacific,” chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a news conference on Thursday. “We also expect broad discussions on a number of regional issues.”p

Kishida will first visit Indonesia, which is this years chair of the Group of 20 major economies, of which Russia is also a member, and a major economic power in the region.p

Indonesia will also chair the Association of Southeast Asian nations ASEAN next year. Kishida last month went to Cambodia, which heads the organisation this year. p

He will then go to Vietnam, chair of the AsiaPacific Economic Forum APEC, followed by Thailand, before proceeding to Europe. p

Kishida, who became Japans longestserving foreign minister under former prime minister Shinzo Abe, faces a crucial election for the upper house of parliament in July, and political analysts say he hopes to portray diplomatic prowess as one of his strengths. p

Japan will next month host U.S. President Joe Biden and the leaders of Australia and India for socalled “Quad” talks on regional security.

Reporting by Elaine Lies. Editing by Gerry Doylep

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