Cooperation with South Korea, Philippines important for regional security, says Japan’s Kishida

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday he wanted to cooperate with neighbors South Korea and the Philippines and even engage with North Korea to ensure regional security.

“”The current security environment is tough and complex, and we are at a turning point in history,” Mr. Kishida said in a group interview.

The Japanese leader spoke ahead of a planned summit next week with US President Joe Biden. The state visit will be the first by a Japanese leader in nine years.

He will also address a joint session of the US Congress, only the second Japanese leader to do so. — Reuters