Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun 
President Prabowo Subianto welcomes PM Ishiba to Indonesia on January 10 (©Prime Minister's Office)
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited Malaysia and Indonesia in January, agreeing to strengthen maritime security cooperation with both countries. Malaysia and Indonesia are core democracies within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Moreover, they are coastal states in the South China Sea, where China is expanding its military presence.
Stability in the South China Sea is a prerequisite for a free and open Indo-Pacific. It is therefore appropriate for Japan to strengthen cooperation with both countries to respond properly to China.
Important Southeast Asian Counterparts
Also, Malaysia serves as the chair of ASEAN for 2025. In their meeting, Prime Minister Ishiba agreed with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to promote a strategic security dialogue. The two leaders further pledged to strengthen cooperation between their respective coast guard services.
Indonesia has the largest economy and population in ASEAN. President Prabowo Subianto, who took office in October 2024 welcomed Japan's prime minister. During their meeting, the two leaders welcomed an agreement to provide Indonesia with a high-speed patrol boat through Japan's Official Security Assistance Program. The two leaders also agreed to hold a foreign and defense "2+2" ministerial meeting within the year. President Subianto further welcomed Japan's offer of experts to help support training for government officials.
Shortly before Prime Minister Ishiba's visit, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani also visited Indonesia. He and his counterpart agreed to resume talks regarding the joint development of destroyers.
Counteracting the Chinese Monetary Pitch
Malaysia and Indonesia have differences with Beijing on maritime interests and other matters. However, they continue to deepen their ties with their giant neighbor on the economic front.
Indonesia has announced its intention to join BRICS, a grouping led by China, Russia, India, and other non-Western countries. Malaysia is also applying to join. It is important to stem this trend among ASEAN countries of being captured within China's influential reach.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Anwar, Ishiba stated that "strengthening cooperation with Southeast Asia is one of the top priorities for Japanese diplomacy."
That is certainly true. Nevertheless, wasn't there another meeting with a foreign leader that should have taken priority on the prime minister's schedule?
Avoiding Japan's Only Ally
Although a pre-inauguration meeting (before January 20) with US president-elect Donald Trump was proposed, Ishiba chose to delay it. That was regrettable. He should meet with Trump as soon as possible to discuss and share perspectives on such issues as the mutual threats posed by authoritarian nations such as China, Russia, and North Korea. And he should also discuss continued support for Ukraine and the ongoing domestic turmoil in South Korea.
There are also other causes for tension between Japan and the US. One in particular concerns the US President's blocking of Nippon Steel's acquisition of major American steelmaker US Steel. However, this situation cannot be permitted to drag on.
It is more important to remember that a strong Japan-US alliance is the foundation of our nation's peace and stability.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
