Japanese PM leaves for 3 Asean nations

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe left for a 3-day trip on Thursday to Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines to meet their leaders. Abe's 3-nation tour is aimed at enhancing bilateral ties with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). "I hope the energy of the ASEAN region will help spark an economic recovery of Japan," Abe told reporters before his departure at Tokyo's Haneda airport to Kuala Lumpur. He is scheduled to hold talks with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak later in the day. In Singapore on Friday, Abe will meet Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He also plans to hold talks with US Vice President Joe Biden, who will stop at Singapore after visiting India. On Saturday, Abe will visit Philippine President Benigno Aquino in Manila. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN friendship and cooperation. Abe's trip to the region follows his visit to Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia in January and Myanmar in May.