"In recent years, Japan's political stability and leadership in regional security affairs have been greatly appreciated by Australia," Flake said in an email. "Australia would welcome a more robust Japanese role in the South China Sea, in the South Pacific, and in the Indian Ocean" -- potential flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific given China's rising clout there. "ASEAN shares Japan's stance on key regional and international issues that could undermine peace and the rules-based order. Others, however, were concerned that it could provoke China and South Korea, both of which suffered from Japan's wartime militarism. The other is deep-rooted suspicion against Japan because of history issues," said Park Jung Jin, a professor of international relations at Tsuda University in Tokyo.

Source: Libya Today July 14, 2022 03:51 UTC