Tokyo, Jan 11: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia and Vietm on a six-day trip starting Thursday aimed at strengthening security cooperation in the face of Chis rising maritime assertiveness, the media reported.
Abe’s Asia-Pacific tour also comes as uncertainties loom over the incoming US administration’s commitment to the region following the January 20 iuguration of US President-elect Dold Trump, who has suggested he will shift to a protectionist trade policy.
“The trips are aimed at reaffirming the importance of the US alliance network in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthening coordition with major countries in the region,” a senior official told the Japan Times on Wednesday.
“Japan hopes to fulfil a leading role in promoting close coordition with Asia-Pacific tions at a time when uncertainties are increasing in the political, security and economic fields,” the official added.
During the trip, Abe is likely to highlight the importance of multilateral free trade pacts.
Trade partners are now watching whether Trump, as he earlier pledged, would pull the US out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP ) free trade deal, reached with Japan and 10 other tions, said the report. (ians)