Japan’s rightwing political leaders, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, have raised the ire of neighboring countries with acts and remarks denying Tokyo’s pre-1945 wartime atrocities. Abe recently exacerbated the angry sentiment with a photo showing him sitting in the cockpit of a training jet numbered 731, which recalled the name of a germ warfare unit the Imperial Japanese Army ran during World War II. His move toward revising a postwar pacifist constitution has prompted concerns about the revival of militarism in Japan.

What should also be taken note of is the Abe administration’s bid to circumvent mounting frictions with two key neighbors ― South Korea and China ― by reaching out to other countries outside Northeast Asia. It has been going that extra mile particularly to strengthen ties with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Less than a month after taking office in December, Abe traveled to three major ASEAN members ― Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. On the sidelines of the annual conference of the Asian Development Bank in Delhi early this month, Japan held a separate meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors with the regional group. The gathering was seen as laying the groundwork for Tokyo’s plan to launch a new framework for fiscal and monetary cooperation with ASEAN members.

Japan’s moves appear aimed at consolidating its status in Southeast Asia and putting up a united front with some regional countries in territorial disputes with China.

South Korea is in no position to sit on its hands, just watching Japan expand its presence and influence in the region, which is emerging as a center of growth. Its future prosperity cannot be separated from greater partnership with ASEAN, which has a population of 600 million, whose spending power is continuing to increase.

South Korean companies have been in an uphill battle against their Japanese competitors backed by sufficient trade financing and a weaker yen. On the strength of abundant capital and low interest rates, Japanese banks quadrupled their share of trade financing markets in Southeast Asia from 13 percent in 2011 to 53 percent last year.

The yen’s steep fall against the Korean currency, sparked by Abenomics, the inflationary policies advocated by Abe, has boosted Japanese manufacturers’ price competitiveness against their South Korean rivals in key industries such as auto, steels, electronics and machinery.

It will benefit both South Korea and the ASEAN to expand the scope of their tariff concessions by renegotiating their free trade agreement, which took effect in 2007 after two years of negotiations. With the proportion of items subject to tariff elimination at approximately 90 percent ― and comparable figures rising up to 99 percent for trade deals with the U.S. and EU ― the FTA with the ASEAN has not brought about as much benefit as initially expected. It may be necessary to conclude bilateral deals with individual members to enhance trade liberalization.

South Korea can and should use soft power, such as the experience of rapid economic development and the popularity of its pop culture, to promote business ties with the region. It would help further boost the favorable atmosphere if President Park Geun-hye traveled to Southeast Asia soon after her planned visit to China.

Seoul’s most important and effective asset will be a sincere intention and attitude toward forging a true partnership with the ASEAN, which serves both parties.