The Japanese prime minister visited Indonesia and Malaysia, as part of efforts to integrate the Southeast Asian nations into Tokyo’s preparations for a catastrophic US-led war against China.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba became the first foreign leader to visit Indonesia this year, meeting President Prabowo Subianto a day after visiting neighboring Malaysia.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and First Lady Yoshiko Ishiba arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten, on Friday.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba became the first foreign leader to visit Indonesia in 2025. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Japan and Indonesia agreed to enhance cooperation on maritime security with an eye on China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea over territorial claims.

as Tokyo seeks to boost regional maritime security cooperation in the face of growing assertiveness by China. Ishiba made the pledge during a visit to Jakarta, where he held talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on a range of bilateral issues.

BOGOR, Indonesia (AP) — Japan and Indonesia pledged on Saturday to deepen economic and defense ties during a visit by the Japanese prime minister amid heightened global geopolitical tensions.

Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday told Japan ... strengthen that," Prabowo told Kishida at a meeting in Tokyo. Prabowo, who has previously said the world’s fourth ...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Prabowo Subianto as the chief guest at the Delhi Republic Day parade.

The project signals Tokyo’s desire for wider security ties in the region and Jakarta’s aim for more joint weapon developments, analysts say.

President Prabowo Subianto on Saturday hosted Shigeru Ishiba at the presidential palace in Bogor on the outskirts of Jakarta as part of a visit by the Japanese prime minister to Southeast Asia's largest economy. Both leaders took office last October and this was their first summit meeting together.

But Prabowo’s expansive cabinet risks undermining Indonesia's democratic trajectory, fostering a culture based on loyalty over competence and potentially endangering crucial checks and balances needed for democratic governance.