Japan-ASEAN Relations
Opening remarks by Foreign Minister Hayashi at Public Seminar on “ASEAN-Japan Cooperation and Ways Forward in the Next 50 Years” by the Asian Vision Institute
On August 6, commencing at 3:00 p.m. local time (5:00 pm, JST) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended a public seminar on “ASEAN-Japan Cooperation and Ways Forward in the Next 50 Years” hosted by the Asian Vision Institute (AVI), in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he was visiting to attend ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. The seminar was also attended by H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Kingdom of Cambodia.
- The seminar was hosted to review the history and achievements of ASEAN-Japan cooperation and to exchange opinions on its future development ahead of the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. The event began with a moment of silence for the late former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo, followed by opening remarks from Minister Hayashi and then by Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn.
- Minister Hayashi stated in his opening remarks that the ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on August 4 had epitomized the steadfast relations between ASEAN and Japan thanks to the contributions by Cambodia as the ASEAN Chair. Minister Hayashi also stated that the importance of ASEAN, which is a strategic partner of Japan and shares fundamental principles such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the rule of law, is growing amid the increasingly severe international environment and that Japan strongly supports ASEAN centrality and will further strengthen its relationship with ASEAN. Furthermore, Minister Hayashi said that at the historic cornerstone of the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation next year, Japan would like to welcome ASEAN leaders to Japan and host a commemorative summit meeting to launch a new vision for future ASEAN-Japan relations. Minister Hayashi also stated that it was with great joy that ASEAN and Japan had jointly announced the official Logo and Catchphrase to add momentum to the preparation for the important year ahead.
［Note］The official Logo Design and Catchphrase:
On August 4, Japan and ASEAN Member States jointly announced the official Logo and Catchphrase “Golden Friendship, Golden Opportunities” at the ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.