Japan-ASEAN Relations

Foreign Minister Kono Attends the World Economic Forum on ASEAN

September 13, 2018

Foreign Minister Kono visited Viet Nam (Hanoi) from September 11 (Tuesday) through September 13 (Thursday) to attend the World Economic Forum on ASEAN. This was the first occasion in which the Foreign Minister of Japan participated in the forum.
The principal theme of the forum this year was "ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Forth Industrial Revolution." During the forum, panel discussions were held across a broad range of topics including: the Asian economy, the balance of power, cybersecurity, the challenges of inequality, health issues, artificial intelligence (AI), and women and entrepreneurism, among others.
Foreign Minister Kono attended the Opening Plenary on the morning of September 12. On September 13, he also participated in a panel discussion titled "Asia's Geopolitical Outlook," and articulated Japan's foreign policy.
In addition, Foreign Minister Kono held meetings with several dignitaries who participated in the forum.

September 11
Meeting with H.E. Dr. Kang Kyung-wha, Foreign Minister of the Republic of South Korea

Courtesy call with H.E. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

Courtesy call with H.E. Mr. Tran Dại Quang, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

Courtesy call with H.E. Mr. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Meeting with Professor Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum

September 13
10th Meeting of the Japan-Viet Nam Cooperation Committee

Japan-Viet Nam Foreign Ministers' Working Lunch

Foreign Minister Kono participated in a panel discussion titled "Asia's Geopolitical Outlook," starting at 9:00 A.M. on September 13 for approximately one hour. Other panelists of the session include: Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Viet Nam Pham Binh Minh, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea Kang Kyung-wha, and Dr. Lynn Kuok from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
In response to the moderator's first question about the three main concerns in Asia's geopolitics, Foreign Minister Kono raised: (a) climate change; (b) unilateral attempts to change the status quo; and (c) challenges to multilateralism (and the need for a rule-based international order for free trade). Also, in response to questions from the audience, Foreign Minister Kono explained Japan's position on a broad range of topics including the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy," TPP, climate change, the acceptance of foreign workers, and United Nations reform, among others.