Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aims to promote security cooperation with Australia and India, based on the strength of the Japan-U.S. alliance, in a bid to counter China's efforts to extend its influence.
Abe also believes strengthening ties with Russia and other Asian nations will help rebuild relations with China.
"The Japan-U.S. alliance is the central pillar [of Japan's foreign policy]," Abe added in an exclusive interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun on Friday.
Commenting on Japan-China relations, he said, "I think new developments will occur in our relationship [with China] by building a trust-based partnership with countries that share the same values, as well as strategically important nations such as Vietnam."
By boosting partnerships with nations surrounding China, Abe aims to urge Beijing to improve its relations with Japan.
Specifically, he suggested security cooperation between Japan and India following last year's joint training conducted by the Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Indian Navy.
"We also can pursue further security cooperation [with the United States] to develop a trilateral partnership between Japan, India and the United States. [Cooperation] between Japan, Australia and the United States will also contribute to regional stability. Additionally, we have a de facto promise of cooperation with Indonesia," he said. "Restoring the balance of power in the region is important."
Read the full story at The Yomiuri Shimbun