PM Ishiba to visit Viet Nam, Philippines to exchange views on tariffs

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru is expected to visit Vietnam and the Philippines next week to exchange views with the countries' leaders on the US's new tariffs. Arrangements are being made for Ishiba to hold separate summit talks with the leaders of the two Southeast Asian nations.

Ishiba may visit a monument in the Philippines, where he can pay his respects to Japanese nationals who died in the country during World War Two. This year marks 80 years since the war ended. He apparently wants to strengthen Japan's ties to Southeast Asian nations, which are part of the Global South. He also apparently wants to contribute to peace and stability in the region by visiting the two countries.