Japan-Thailand Relations

(1) Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratefulness at holding a summit meeting with Prime Minister Prayut for the first time in three years, and explained that he intends to further promote the relationship between Japan and Thailand as “strategic partners” supported by a long-standing and deep friendship and broad-ranging exchanges.

(2) In response, Prime Minister Prayut expressed his happiness at meeting again, along with stating that he hopes the regions affected by the recent spate of natural disasters in Japan recover promptly, and sharing his intention to support Japan if necessary. Prime Minister Prayut stated that on the basis of the two countries’ history of exchanges spanning more than 600 years, the success of the events commemorating the 130th anniversary of Japan-Thailand diplomatic relations last year, and the two countries’ “strategic partnership,” he wishes to promptly move ahead with further cooperation.

Prime Minister Prayut explained that Thailand is scheduled to hold a general election between February and May next year, and he is considering holding it in February if possible. In response, Prime Minister Abe expressed expectation that the process of restoring democracy in Thailand will move promptly ahead in the run-up to the general election in February next year.

(1) Prime Minister Abe expressed expectation that the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), which Thailand is a driver of, will fulfill a central role in regional cooperation. Prime Minister Abe expressed the view that there is a strong affinity between Japan-Mekong Cooperation and ACMECS, and he hopes to deepen the discussion on concrete cooperation in the future.

(2) Prime Minister Prayut invited Japan to be a development partner for ACMECS, along with expressing expectation for Japan to cooperat with an ACMECS fund for supporting various cooperative projects under ACMECS from the financial front. Prime Minister Abe explained that Japan will consider becoming a development partner, while providing support to ensure that ACMECS’ activities become established.

(3) In addition, Prime Minister Abe conveyed that Japan will cooperate with Thailand, which is next year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chair, towards the success of the series of ASEAN meetings.

(1) Prime Minister Prayut explained that Thailand has formulated a 20-year national strategy and is currently pursuing economic structural reforms relating to upgrade the industrial structure development of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and through the industrial human resources development, along with expressing gratitude for the ongoing support that Japan has extended in connection with Thailand’s economy for many years. Prime Minister Prayut expressed appreciation and expectation for Japan’s support in the field of industrial human resources development through, for example, the early establishment of Japanese technical colleges in Thailand.
Prime Minister Abe explained that Japan views the development of the EEC and industrial human resources development as the keys to realize advanced industry in Thailand, and Japan will cooperate proactively in these fields. In addition, Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan hopes to cooperate in fields such as smart cities by utilizing its technologies for the development of the EEC. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe stated that he intends to accelerate concrete cooperation towards establishing technical colleges in Thailand for developing industrial human resource, and training the technical experts needed for advancing connected industries.

(2) The two leaders shared the view that amid mounting concerns of protectionism, they will cooperate towards the early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Furthermore, Prime Minister Prayut expressed interest in Thailand joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), along with requesting Japan’s cooperation to realize that goal. In response, Prime Minister Abe welcomed Thailand’s expression of interest in joining the TPP11, and explained that Japan will provide support by sharing necessary information and so on.