Ishiba Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan: We oppose attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the East and South China Seas through force and coercion, and we will continue to communicate closely with each other to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law.

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru met with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. during his visit to the island nation on April 29, 2025

At their meeting, Ishiba confirmed the strengthening of security relations between the two countries, with China's increasing maritime expansion in mind

During his recent visit to Vietnam, Ishiba also achieved an agreement to strengthen defense cooperation, an important step for security in the region.

Ishiba also discussed the tariffs being imposed by the United States on both countries and separately confirmed the importance of a free trade regime.

While Ishiba has made visits to South East Asia since the start of the year, visits to China and Europe, which are important to Japan’s diplomatic relations, have yet to happen.

Within his own party, criticisms of these visits have ramped up, with some saying that the overall picture and strategy of this diplomacy is unclear.

Ishiba also has several issues to tackle domestically, from economic stimulus and calls for tax cuts, to elections in the House of Councillors and Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly.

With the second round of tariff talks with the US also taking place, Ishiba will need to make some difficult decisions on both foreign and domestic policy.