ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)

July 11, 2025
Japanese
The conference room of ARF
Foreign Minister IWAYA on the seat of the Japanese delegation

On July 11, commencing at 2:40p.m. local time (3:40 p.m., JST) for about 180 minutes, the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

  1. The outline of Minister IWAYA’s statement is as follows in essence.
    1. General remarks
      The security environments in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific are closely interconnected with each other, and the international situation is becoming increasingly severe and uncertain. In this context, the importance of confidence-building and preventive diplomacy, as promoted by the ARF, is greater than ever. Japan will continue to actively participate in ARF dialogue and cooperation.
      In order to lead the international community toward cooperation rather than division and confrontation, principles such as a rules-based framework, openness, transparency, and inclusiveness, which are advocated by the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), are also becoming increasingly important. Japan was among the first to express support for the AOIP. Now that many countries come to support the AOIP, Japan would like to further promote efforts to mainstream the AOIP.
    2. The East China Sea, the South China Sea and Taiwan
      Unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force are unacceptable, not only in the East China Sea but also anywhere in the world. Japan is seriously concerned about the continued and intensified actions that increase regional tensions, including militarization and dangerous and coercive activities in the South China Sea. It is important to find peaceful resolutions in accordance with international law, in particular United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Peace and stability the Taiwan Strait is important for the region and the international community.
    3. North Korea, Non-Proliferation and Disarmament
      Japan is seriously concerned about North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs, its malicious cyber activities, including cryptocurrency thefts, which fund these developments, as well as the advancement of the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. The complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions is necessary, and Japan aims to work closely with others, including on the full implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions. Japan calls for the continued understanding and cooperation from each country for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. Furthermore, as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, it is Japan’s mission to lead the international efforts towards a world without nuclear weapons. We will continue to advance realistic and practical efforts to this end.
    4. Myanmar
      Japan highly appreciates the swift response of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) to the earthquake in Myanmar in March. On the other hand, Japan is seriously concerned about the deteriorating situation in Myanmar. Japan strongly urges the reliable ceasefire and the progress in dialogue among all stakeholders. Japan will continue to provide humanitarian assistance that directly benefits the people of Myanmar. At the same time, Japan will do its utmost to support ASEAN's efforts to implement the "Five-Point consensus”.
    5. Future Direction of the ARF
      Japan welcomes the various cooperation efforts that have been underway in the ARF for over 30 years. At the same time, we must squarely face the fact that the regional security environment is becoming increasingly severe despite these efforts. We need to return to the basics of what is effective for confidence-building and preventive diplomacy and to explore strategic and realistic measures. Japan would like to continue discussions with ARF members.
  2. Statements by other ARF members
    1. Many ARF participating members praised the ARF's role in building confidence and expressed their intention to promote further cooperation within the ARF.
    2. Many participating members expressed concerns about the situations in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, and peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law.
    3. Regarding North Korea, many participating members stated the importance of its complete denuclearization and their concerns about the advancement of its nuclear and missile development. Some members also mentioned the importance of the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.
    4. As for the situation in Myanmar, many participating members expressed deep concerns and emphasized the importance of fulfilling the "Five-Point Consensus."

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