TOKYO -- The leaders of Japan and five Southeast Asian countries that share the Mekong River on Tuesday agreed to adopt a new policy that pushes forward more than 150 projects in the Mekong region using official development assistance from Japan.
During a summit in Tokyo, the leaders of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar also confirmed that they will support the "free and open Indo-Pacific strategy" being promoted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump. This strategy is seen aimed at countering China as it expands its influence throughout Southeast Asia.
