WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Sunday spoke to Japan’s new prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, to congratulate him on taking office and to discuss a “free and open Indo-Pacific” region, which is increasingly dominated by China.

“The two leaders discussed the importance of pursuing our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, continuing to strengthen the United States-Japan Alliance, and working together to strengthen the global economy,” the White House said in a statement.

China is locked in disputes with neighbors including Japan and Vietnam over islands in the South China Sea.

Beijing’s expanding military presence in the region has worried several of its neighbors, and Washington has vowed to stand up against its territorial claims.

Japan’s parliament elected Suga, 71, as the country’s first new leader in nearly eight years on Wednesday. He said he would seek continued strong ties with Washington and stable relations with China and Russia.

He also pledged to continue the work of former leader Shinzo Abe, whose signature “Abenomics” programme involved vast government spending and monetary easing, and attempts to cut red tape.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2020