Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has begun a tour of Malaysia and Indonesia as part of his effort to further strengthen defense and economic ties with Southeast Asia as threats from China rise in the region.

Japan and Malaysia agreed at their summit on Friday to strengthen ties to ensure regional security based on the rule of law an

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was in Malaysia and met with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Friday to strengthen defense and economic ties with Southeast Asian countries as China’s threats grow in the region.

Among their agreements, both countries will jointly develop hydrogen energy and partner in the post-war reconstruction of Gaza Malaysia and Japan on Friday agreed to develop carbon capture and hydrogen green energy projects,