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Prime Minister Abe's Visit to Southeast Asia (Overview & Evaluation)

January 18, 2013

Japanese

On his first overseas trip after taking office, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe officially visited three Southeast Asian countries - the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Indonesia - from January 16 (Wednesday) to 18 (Friday). The following is an overview of his visit.

1. Itinerary (Outline)

(1) Viet Nam (January 16)

Prime Minister Abe held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of Viet Nam, and appeared subsequent by for joint press remarks. He also met with H.E. Dr. Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Truong Tan Sang, President of Viet Nam, and attended a dinner hosted by Prime Minister and Mrs. Dung.

(2) Thailand (January 17)

Prime Minister Abe held a summit meeting with H.E.Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand and appeared subsequent by for joint press remarks. He also had an audience with His Majesty the King Bhumibol, met with Japanese residents in Thailand, visited the Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology and attended a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Yingluck.

(3) Indonesia (January 18)

Prime Minister Abe held a summit meeting with H.E. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia, and a joint press conference. He canceled the rest of his itinerary to return home ahead of schedule and personally assume command of the response to the taking of Japanese nationals as hostages in Algeria.

2. Overall Evaluation

(1) Five Principles of Japan's ASEAN Diplomacy

At his meetings with the leaders of the countries visited, Prime Minister Abe conveyed the message that Japan would work together with ASEAN as its equal partner in pursuit of prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region through the realization of universal values such as freedom, democracy, basic human rights and the rule of law, and through a network of economic partnerships in order to ensure regional peace and prosperity in light of the changing strategic environment in this region. From that point of view, Prime Minister Abe announced on January 18 "Five Principles of Japan's ASEAN Diplomacy" after the Japan-Indonesia summit meeting.

* Five Principles of Japan's ASEAN Diplomacy

  1. (1) Firstly, to protect and promote together with ASEAN member states universal values, such as freedom, democracy and basic human rights.
  2. (2) Secondly, to ensure in cooperation with ASEAN member states that the free and open seas, which are the most vital common asset, are governed by laws and rules and not by force, and to welcome the United States' rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific region.
  3. (3) Thirdly, to further promote trade and investment, including flows of goods, money, people and services, through various economic partnership networks, for Japan's economic revitalization and prosperity of both Japan and ASEAN member states.
  4. (4) Fourthly, to protect and nurture Asia's diverse cultural heritages and traditions.
  5. (5) And fifthly, to promote exchanges among the young generations to further foster mutual understanding.

(2) Strengthening Economic Partnerships with ASEAN Countries

At his meetings with the leaders of the countries visited, Prime Minister Abe confirmed the further strengthening of economic partnerships with Viet Nam, Thailand and Indonesia that play an important part in the "growth center" of the 21st century through promotion of investment and trade as well as cooperation in the infrastructure area.

(3) Strengthening Japan-ASEAN Partnership

Upon his visit on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, the 40th anniversary of Japan-Vietnam diplomatic relations (Japan-Vietnam Friendship Year) and the 55th anniversary of Japan-Indonesia diplomatic relations, Prime Minister Abe preparing the ground for enhancing the Japan-ASEAN partnership by expressing Japan's all-out support for the process toward ASEAN integration in 2015. Moreover, in a parallel move, Prime Minister Abe announced a new youth exchange program with Asian countries, including ASEAN members, involving some 30,000 people under the name of "JENESYS 2.0," renewing the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) *Note that he originally started in 2007.
*Note: JENESYS was implemented for five years from 2007. About 14,000 people were involved in the exchange program with the ASEAN countries.

3. Meetings with the Leaders (Overview)

(1) Japan-Viet Nam Summit

  1. (a) The two leaders shared the recognition that the "Strategic Partnership" would be further advanced between Japan and Viet Nam as important partners sharing regional challenges and in a mutually complementary economic relationship.
  2. (b) They concurred on the need to promote dialogue and cooperation more actively in the area of trade, investment, infrastructure development and other fields as well as in the political and security area. The two leaders also shared the recognition that both sides would further strengthen people-to-people exchange.
  3. (c) They exchanged views on regional and international issues, including North Korea and the South China Sea.

(2) Japan-Thailand Summit

  1. (a) The two leaders shared the perception that Thailand was the hub of Japanese corporate activities in Southeast Asia as well as a partner sharing the same fundamental values, and that they would further advance their "strategic partnership."
  2. (b) They shared the view that the two countries would closely cooperate with each other, including for the smooth implementation of the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement and for infrastructure improvements in Thailand.
  3. (c) They exchanged views on regional and international issues, including North Korea and the South China Sea.

(3) Japan-Indonesia Summit

  1. (a) Prime Minister Abe expressed his sympathy for flood damage in Jakarta caused by recent downpours and expressed readiness for the Government of Japan to offer necessary assistance and cooperation.
  2. (b) Concerning the hostage of Japanese nationals in Algeria, the two leaders shared the recognition that the deplorable act of terrorism which claimed many lives should never be tolerated and strongly condemned, and that they should jointly continue to fight against terrorism.
  3. (c) They concurred on the need to promote cooperation in the economic, political and security, and exchange areas, further developing their "strategic partnership."
  4. (d) They exchanged views on regional and international issues, including North Korea and the South China Sea.

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