Indo-Pacific
Prabowo praises Japanese PM at ASEAN-Japan Summit
President Prabowo Subianto praised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's leadership as the first female leader who masters key issues, after attending the 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He highlighted the long-standing ASEAN-Japan partnership as a sturdy anchor for peace in the Indo-Pacific region. Prabowo also urged stronger economic cooperation and energy transitions.
Hegseth to visit South Korea urging allies on defense spending
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will travel to Asia this week, including South Korea, to stress the need for allies to boost defense spending and contribute to collective defense. The Pentagon said Hegseth will praise South Korea's commitment to increasing defense spending and taking greater responsibility for alliance deterrence during the annual Security Consultative Meeting in Seoul on Nov. 4. This comes amid intensifying U.S.-China rivalry and North Korea's nuclear advances.
Japan emphasizes financial and food security ties at ASEAN summits
At ASEAN-related summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reaffirmed her commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific in her diplomatic debut. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, attending Monday's meetings, stressed cooperation on financial sectors and food security with ASEAN, China, and South Korea. Takaichi left late Sunday to prepare for U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Japan.