Under Shinzo Abe's two terms as prime minister, Japan has completely changed the direction of foreign affairs and defense, which of course includes Japan's policy towards Southeast Asia.
In the early 1990s, after Japan's economic job email list bubble burst, its foreign relations also fell into a slump for a while. Although he has repeatedly expressed his willingness to actively return to international affairs under different governments, actively promoted cooperation with Southeast Asia, and rebuilt the important economic and political influence of the 1960s and 1980s after the war, until Abe became prime minister for the second time, he was unable to accomplish. Some observers also believe that Japan will gradually be marginalized in international and regional politics.
Since Abe led the Liberal Democratic Party to victory in the general election in 2012 and became prime minister again, he has actively reorganized Japan's foreign strategy and defense affairs. On his first trip as prime minister, Abe chose to go to Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia instead of the traditional U.S., appearing to show emphasis on Southeast Asia. During his tenure in office, Abe also participated in many international activities related to Southeast Asia, visited Southeast Asian countries, advocated various economic and security cooperation, and also actively cooperated with the ally the United States in various policies in the region.