Japan’s new PM commits to strengthening Maldives-Japan ties

Shigeru Ishiba, the newly elected leader of Japan's governing party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) poses in the party leader's office after the LDP leadership election, in Tokyo, September 27, 2004. (Photo/Kim Kyung-Hoon/AP)

Japan’s new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has expressed keenness to further strengthening the traditional ties of friendship between Maldives and Japan.

He made the remark in a post on X on Wednesday in response to a congratulatory message by Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

“Thank you President Muizzu @MMuizzu for your kind message regarding my appointment as Prime Minister. I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen the traditional ties of friendship between our two countries, toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” he wrote.

In his message last week, President Muizzu congratulated Ishiba on his appointments as the new Prime Minister of Japan.

“I wish you every success in your role and look forward to working with your government to strengthen the long-standing friendly relations between the Maldives and Japan,” he said.

Ishiba, 67, replaced Fumio Kishida, who announced his decision to resign in August amid a series of corruption scandals within Japan’s governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

He has called for snap elections in October 27.

Maldives and Japan established formal diplomatic relations on November 15, 1967. The Asian superpower is one of the biggest bilateral development partners of Maldives.