A delegation from the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito is set to visit China from Monday through Wednesday

Analysts think Ishiba aims to leverage China’s influence for Japan’s gain, but some fear this could weaken the Washington-Tokyo alliance.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has begun a tour of Malaysia and Indonesia as part of his effort to further strengthen defense and economic ties with Southeast Asia as threats from China rise in the region.

By dispatching its foreign minister to the event, Tokyo seems intent on asserting its influence – and avoiding being upstaged by Beijing.

According to a readout issued by the White House after their talks, the three leaders discussed trilateral maritime security and economic cooperation, as well as China's "dangerous and unlawful behavior in the South China Sea" and they agreed on the importance of "continued coordination to advance a free and open 'Indo-Pacific'".

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba embarked on a four-day trip to Malaysia and Indonesia on Jan. 9. The visits come amid China’s increasing maritime presence in the region. During the trip ...

Japan, the Philippines and the United States vowed to further deepen cooperation under a trilateral arrangement in the face of rising tensions in Asia's waters, the three countries said following a call among their leaders.

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was in Malaysia and met with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Friday to strengthen defense and economic ties with Southeast Asian countries as China’s threats grow in the region.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is visiting Malaysia and Indonesia as part of an effort to strengthen defense and economic ties with Southeast Asia as China’s ...

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday began a trip to Malaysia and Indonesia as part of an effort to strengthen defense and economic ties with Southeast Asia as China's ...

China is also no longer hesitant to send its aircraft carrier group through narrow straits in the southernmost Nansei Islands to conduct drills.

China and Japan have markedly intensified their efforts to try and reinvigorate bilateral ties since the Shigeru Ishiba government took office in October, particularly after his meeting with the top Chinese leader on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima in November.