Asia
The 20th East Asia Summit (EAS)
October 27, 2025
On October 27, commencing at 3:35 p.m. local time (4:35 p.m. JST) for approximately 140 minutes, the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS) was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the meeting on behalf of Prime Minister Takaichi. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1 General Remarks and Regional Cooperation
(1) The outline of Minister Motegi’s statement is as follows:
- Japan has been contributing to regional peace and prosperity through building a free and democratic peaceful nation that upholds human rights and the rule of law. Japan will contribute to peace, stability and prosperity of the region through promoting Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), which is on the extended line of this path.
- As the free and open international order based on the rule of law is facing challenges, EAS, which celebrates the 20th anniversary this year, is ever more important as a premier forum for strategic dialogue, with the major countries in the region.
- In order to lead the region toward cooperation and dialogue, setting a cooperation system is indispensable. Japan has been consistently supporting ASEAN centrality and unity, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
- Japan will further promote concrete cooperation in line with the joint statement adopted in the ASEAN-Japan Summit yesterday, which is the second joint statement regarding the AOIP between ASEAN and Japan.
- Japan will promote FOIP based on the rule of law, and actively contribute to ASEAN led regional frameworks, particularly EAS.
2 Regional and International Issues
(2) Foreign Minister Motegi’s statement is outlined as follows:
i. East China Sea, South China Sea and Taiwan
- Unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion are unacceptable anywhere in the world, including the East China Sea.
- Japan is seriously concerned that in the South China Sea, dangerous and coercive activities that increase regional tensions are intensifying. From the perspective of supporting the full enforcement of the rule of law at sea, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, Japan strongly hopes that the parties to the disputes will comply with the Arbitral Tribunal’s award and the disputes to be settled peacefully.
- Peace and Stability in the Taiwan Strait are important for the international community.
ii. North Korea
- North Korea conducted the ballistic missile launch on October 22. North Korea has steadily enhanced its nuclear and missile capabilities, funded by its cryptocurrency thefts, and gained combat experience through military cooperation with Russia, and its threat is growing day by day. Japan is seriously concerned over these actions that heighten regional tensions. The complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions is essential. Japan reiterates its call for the full implementation of these resolutions and for coordinated action. The immediate resolution of the abductions issue is an urgent matter. Japan calls for the continued understanding and cooperation from the EAS countries.
iii. Situation in Myanmar
- Japan is seriously concerned about the situation in Myanmar. We strongly urge the Myanmar military to immediately stop the violence and start political dialogue.
iv. Situation of the Cambodia-Thailand border areas
- Japan expresses its respect for diplomatic efforts of the United States and Malaysia, which mediate a ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand. Japan also continues to actively contribute for the establishment of peace.
v. Transnational Issues
- Japan continues to enhance cooperation with each country for countermeasures for transnational issues including online fraud.
vi. Situation in the Middle East
- Peace and stability in the Middle East are of the utmost importance to Japan. Regarding the situation in Gaza, it is important to faithfully and steadily implement the agreements, such as sustaining a ceasefire, handing over the remaining bodies of deceased hostages, and swiftly providing humanitarian assistance. Japan will play a proactive role towards improvement of humanitarian situation, early recovery and reconstruction, and the realization of a two-state solution.
vii. Situation in Ukraine
- Regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, it is important that all nations, through the unity of the international community, engage in diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
(3) Remarks from other participating countries
- Other participating countries expressed concerns over the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea and the importance of the freedom of navigation and overflight as well as peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, and emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
- Regarding North Korea, the importance of its complete denuclearization and the full implementation of UNSCRs was mentioned and concerns over progress with nuclear and missile development and advancement of Russia-North Korea military cooperation were expressed during the meeting.
- In terms of the situation of Cambodia-Thailand border area, many countries welcomed the ceasefire agreement and appreciated contributions of countries like the United States and Malaysia.
- Deep concerns over the situation in Myanmar were expressed and the importance of implementation of “the Five-Point Consensus” was emphasized during the meeting.
- Regarding the situation in the Middle East, many participating countries made remarks to welcome the ceasefire in Gaza and the resumption of humanitarian aid. Many participating countries emphasized the importance of improvement of humanitarian situation, early recovery and reconstruction, and the implementation of the two-state solution.
- Other participating countries expressed serious concerns over the situations, condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and made remarks on the necessity of realizing an early ceasefire.