Japan foreign minister to visit 4 Southeast Asian nations from Oct. 8

Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa is planning to visit Brunei, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand from Oct. 8 as Japan prepares for a summit with ASEAN leaders later this year, Japanese government sources said Saturday.In light of China's increasing assertiveness in the South and East China seas, Kamikawa is expected to confirm with her counterparts the importance of ensuring international order based on the rule of law and realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.Leaders from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are scheduled to meet on Dec. 16-18 in Tokyo to commemorate the 50th year o…READ FULL ARTICLE