From Jan 9 to 14, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida visited the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei and Australia. On Jan 4, Taro Aso, Japan's deputy prime minister and finance minister, paid a visit to Myanmar.

Lu Yaodong, a researcher of Japanese studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Abe's aim to encircle China is obvious.

"Japan used to have good economic and trade relations with China. But now what it has done has damaged normal trade ties. By boosting relations with Southeast Asia and building up connections with some Southeast Asian countries over maritime security issues, Japan is trying to contain China," Lu said.

Due to the close economic and long historical ties between China and countries in the region, Abe will have a hard time persuading them that they should contain China, Lu said.

Bahtiar Effendy, a professor of politics at Indonesia's State Islamic University, said the economic relationships between Indonesia and Japan are far more important than their political and security ties.

"Indonesia is a big potential market for both China and Japan, and we are glad to see the competition between them as we continue to benefit from it," Effendy said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency.

Effendy's view represents the position taken by most Southeast Asian countries in their relationships with both China and Japan.

Abe's visit to Thailand is the first by a Japanese prime minister in 11 years. The two countries pledged to enhance cooperation in security and economic areas. Japan is Thailand's largest trading partner. Thailand is now Japan's highly important automotive and electronics production base.

Last year, Japan became the largest single foreign investor in Vietnam, with major investments in banking, export-orientated manufacturing and consumer goods. Japan is also Vietnam's largest aid donor.

A hostage crisis in Algeria involving Japanese workers made Abe end his trip earlier than scheduled, and he missed giving a policy speech on his new government's approach to Southeast Asia.

chengguangjin@chinadaily.com.cn

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