Japan Prem. Abe to Visit Southeast Asia in Late July

Tokyo, June 23 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is planning to visit Southeast Asian nations in late July after the House of Councillors election in the month, informed sources said Sunday. Abe is considering visiting three of Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Singapore, the sources said. In bilateral summits during the trip, Abe hopes to confirm the importance of compliance with international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, according to the sources. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is working with China on a binding code of conduct on the South China Sea. In last year, however, a rift opened up between ASEAN chair Cambodia, close to China, and countries like the Philippines. During the tour, Abe is expected to convey Japan's hope to Brunei, this year's chair of the regional association, and other countries for early establishment of the code of conduct. This will be Abe's second trip to Southeast Asia since taking office last December after his visits in January to Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. END