Japan-ASEAN Relations

Minister MOTEGI made the following remarks:

1. The world is currently undergoing major structural changes, and the free and open international order based on the rule of law is facing various challenges. The "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" aims to maintain and strengthen this international order, and ASEAN is at the core of its realization.
2. The key point of the updated FOIP announced in May this year is intended for each country to acquire "capability to have freedom to decide for themselves" and "resilience." Japan aims to deepen cooperation for this purpose and "become stronger and more prosperous together." Japan will continue to cooperate in promoting and mainstreaming the "ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)," which shares fundamental principles with FOIP.
3. Japan and ASEAN have deepened cooperation in a wide range of fields as "Trusted Partners" for over half a century. Japan would like to maintain this relationship of trust.

1. The ASEAN side expressed high appreciation and gratitude for the steady progress of cooperation in line with the Joint Vision Statement and Implementation Plan issued at the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Commemorative Summit in 2023. In particular, expectations were expressed for further cooperation with Japan in safety and security fields such as countermeasures against organized fraud, new economic fields such as AI and DX, energy security in response to the Middle East situation, food security, and people-to-people exchanges.
2. Minister MOTEGI explained by citing examples along the three pillars of the Joint Vision Statement as follows:
   • a. "Partners for Peace and Stability"
     Japan has been supporting the strengthening of maritime law enforcement capabilities of ASEAN countries through the provision of patrol vessels and other means. In addition, Japan will support capacity building of ASEAN countries to combat organized fraud, which is an urgent issue for the region, through measures such as providing new financial contributions to ASEANAPOL.
   • b. "Partners for Co-creating Future Economy and Society"
     Japan will deepen AI cooperation and digital infrastructure development together with ASEAN countries under the "Japan-ASEAN Co-creation Initiative for AI" and the FOIP Digital Corridor Concept. In the energy sector, Japan will advance cooperation under "POWERR Asia," launched in response to the Middle East situation, and the Asia Zero-Emission Community (AZEC).
   • c. "Heart-to-Heart Partners Across Generations"
     Japan will continue to cooperate in the areas of youth exchange, science and technology cooperation, and human resource development in ASEAN countries. Notably, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). Japan is looking forward to further deepening Japan-ASEAN cooperation.

1. The ASEAN side mentioned the situation in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, and the situation in the Middle East, among others.
2. Minister MOTEGI made the following remarks:
   • a. Myanmar
     ・Immediate cessation of violence, release of detainees, political progress including sincere dialogue among parties concerned, and efforts to improve the lives of the people are indispensable for improving the situation.
     ・Japan will continue to support ASEAN's efforts, such as the implementation of the "Five-Point Consensus." In addition, Japan will continue to provide humanitarian assistance and other support in a manner that directly benefits the people of Myanmar.
   • b. East China Sea and South China Sea
     ・Japan strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.
     ・Japan strongly expects that the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea will be in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
   • c. North Korea
     ・The complete denuclearization of North Korea is essential. North Korea’s nuclear and missile development constitutes a violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and that is unacceptable.
     ・Japan calls for the continued understanding and cooperation of ASEAN Member States for the abductions issue.

Minister MOTEGI reaffirmed that Japan, as a "Trusted Partner," will work closely with ASEAN countries to further deepen cooperation with ASEAN.