TOKYO/KUALA LUMPUR/JAKARTA — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visits Malaysia and Indonesia from Thursday to Sunday, looking to cement economic and defense ties with Southeast Asian countries that are expanding their international presence amid geopolitical uncertainties.
Ishiba, who took office in October, chose the two ASEAN members for his first overseas visit, excluding international conferences. He is slated to hold summits with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
