FOCUS: Next Japan PM's possible no-show at ASEAN summits may favor China

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election later this month may prevent its winner, who will also become Japan's new prime minister, from attending ASEAN-related summits in October due to domestic political constraints.Government officials are worried that if the new leader is absent from the large-scale international talks, it might allow China to further expand its influence in the developing world, potentially denting Japan's diplomacy with emerging nations.While aiming to bolster relations with the "Global South" emerging and developing economies such as ASEAN members t…READ FULL ARTICLE