Japan's ongoing diplomatic push in Southeast Asia seeks to counterbalance China by strengthening defense and economic ties, enhancing regional security and reducing trade dependence on China as well as security dependence on the United States by positioning itself as a more proactive security partner. In recent weeks, Japan has significantly intensified its diplomatic outreach to Southeast Asia. For example, on Jan. 10, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba traveled to Malaysia, where he and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim agreed to enhance maritime security, deepen defense ties and explore collaboration in energy and supply chain resilience. Japan agreed to provide training and capacity-building for Malaysia's coast guard and to strengthen cooperation in the development of green energy technologies. Japan and Malaysia also agreed to collaborate on strengthening semiconductor supply chains through technology transfers, research and development, and diversifying sources to insulate supply chains from risk. On Jan. 11, Ishiba also met Indonesian...
