Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe left for Singapore on Friday to attend the Asia Security Summit, where he will explain Japan's greater contribution to global peace and security amid tension in the East and South China seas. The premier is also scheduled to meet US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel later in the day.
The three-day summit, which runs through Sunday, comes amid territorial dispute between Japan and China in the East China Sea. China is also engaged in sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea with Vietnam and the Philippines.
Speaking to reporters prior to his departure, Abe said, "I want to send a strong message that Japan will never tolerate any attempt to change the status quo by force." His remarks were apparently referring to China's increasing maritime activities in the East and South China seas.
In his keynote speech on Friday evening at the security summit for the Asia-Pacific region, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, Abe will also outline a vision of Japan and the US to contribute more to peace and security of the world.
Abe will be the first Japanese prime minister to take part in the conference and deliver a keynote address.
Defense ministers from the Asia-Pacific region and Europe are expected to discuss security challenges and cooperation. Separately, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera will hold talks with his US and South Korean counterparts to discuss North Korean issue and the situation in the East and South China seas