Abe goes on tour to pitch 'free and open' Indo-Pacific

Japanese prime minister will meet with Russia's Putin on the sidelines

An Indonesia Navy officer watches a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense vessel enter port in September 2018. Japan wants countries to work together on maritime security as part of its push for a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific."

YUKIO TAJIMA, Nikkei staff writer

November 14, 2018 05:38 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seeks to spread his vision for a "free and open Indo-Pacific" as he tours the region starting Wednesday, urging cooperation among like-minded countries to enhance maritime security and promote free trade.

His goal, which is shared with the U.S., is to create a framework for countries on the Indian and Pacific oceans to advance common ideals like the rule of law and the market economy, mostly through cooperation on maritime security.