TOKYO — Some southeast Asian nations want one-time foe Japan to play an active role in regional security, Tokyo said Thursday, as countries seek a balance for China’s growing clout.
Vice-minister level representatives from Japan and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ended a two-day gathering at a Tokyo hotel that came as several participating nations are embroiled in sovereignty rows with Beijing.
“The two sides shared a recognition of the importance of further strengthening their partnership in security and defense,” Japanese Vice Defense Minister Hironori Kanazawa said following the meeting.
Some ASEAN members voiced their expectation that “Japan would play a more active role” in the stabilization of the security environment in the region, he said. He did not specify which countries he was talking about or how many.
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