The first bilateral visit of Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, which country was it?

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru will visit Malaysia and Indonesia from January 9-12.

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru speaks during a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, December 24. (Source: Kyodo)

Kyodo News quoted Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa as saying that the purpose of the visit is to strengthen cooperation with Southeast Asian countries to realize an open, free and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Hayashi Yoshimasa said that Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru is expected to hold talks with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

"It is essential for Japan to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian countries" located near important sea routes and seen as engines of growth, Hayashi Yoshimasa stressed.

The meetings in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta are expected to “help build personal relationships between the leaders and provide an opportunity to strengthen bilateral economic and security ties as well as reaffirm coordination on various global challenges.”

Since taking office in October, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has traveled abroad for a series of multilateral meetings, but this will be his first overseas trip for a bilateral visit.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/lan-dau-tien-thu-tuong-ishiba-shigeru-tham-song-phuong-do-la-nuoc-nao-298879.html