FOCUS: Japan's role for ASEAN increasingly crucial amid U.S. tariff standoff

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited Vietnam and the Philippines through Wednesday hoping to offer up Japan as a reliable partner at a time when U.S. tariffs and China's attempts to further expand its clout in Southeast Asia are causing concern.With President Donald Trump's tariffs shaking members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, diplomacy experts said Ishiba underscored that Japan, which has long maintained stable cooperation with the region, can play a dependable role.Japan's support for ASEAN countries, such as through its "official security assistance" program to help enh…READ FULL ARTICLE