Although the cornerstone of Japan's foreign policy is its alliance with the United States, the newly formed cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seeking to "encircle" China by consolidating ties with neighboring countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida began a visit to the Philippines on Wednesday, part of a tour that will also take him to Singapore, Brunei and Australia. The trip is aimed at strengthening Japan's ties with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

In mid-January Abe will visit Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, his first foreign destinations, after "scheduling difficulties" put the brakes on his proposed trip to the US. The three countries are the largest receivers of Japan's official development assistance in Southeast Asia.