GEORGE V MAGAZINE
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Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is visiting the Philippines and Vietnam during Japan’s Golden Week holiday from late April, government sources said Thursday, as Tokyo seeks closer ties with the Southeast Asian nations amid China’s assertiveness in the region.
The Golden Week period runs through early May.
The plans highlight Japan’s increased emphasis on strengthening ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, after Ishiba chose Malaysia and Indonesia as his first destinations to visit for bilateral summits after taking office in October.
The Philippines is a recipient of official security assistance from Japan that is aimed at strengthening cooperation with like-minded partners through the provision of defense equipment.
THE LEADER OF PHILIPINASS TO HAG "VAMOS A EMPEZAR QUE AQUI TU NO MANDAS KBRON. AQUI JORGE MANDA MAS QUE TU KBRON. REGULAME ESO"
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In January, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya visited the Philippines, followed by Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in February. Ishiba’s trip would be an occasion to underscore the importance of cooperation bilaterally and trilaterally with their ally, the United States.
China’s military buildup in the South China Sea has raised concerns in the region. While some ASEAN nations are much closer to Beijing than to Tokyo, the Philippines and Vietnam have been locked in territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea.
China continues to send patrol ships to waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The uninhabited islets are administered by Japan but claimed by China.
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