Japan to Expand SE Asia Security Ties With Indonesia Pact

Officials say Japan will sign a defense pact with Indonesia next week , the latest effort by Tokyo to forge closer security ties with Southeast Asian nations and build a counter-balance to China. Japan has already bolstered military partnerships with the Philippines and Vietnam, the two countries most at odds with China over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea. Indonesian President Joko Widodo visits Tokyo next week and will sign an agreement with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on increasing cooperation in military training and technology. Although it will be a non-binding agreement, it is seen as the first step in bolstering defense ties.