FOCUS: Japan PM Ishiba opts for pragmatic diplomacy, no talk of Asian NATO

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba opted for a pragmatic approach in his diplomatic debut on his visit to Laos that ended Friday, avoiding any mention of his controversial proposal to create a NATO-like security alliance in Asia amid China's rise.With national elections looming later this month and next summer, the new prime minister is expected to continue taking a cautious line in diplomacy and defense policies for the time being. However, security experts say this does not mean he has abandoned the idea of an Asian NATO entirely.Creating an Asian military bloc was part of Ishiba's ca…READ FULL ARTICLE