Press Releases
Meeting between Foreign Minister IWAYA and Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN
December 18, 2024
On December 18, 2024, commencing at 6:10 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Mr IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- Foreign Minister Iwaya welcomed Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn’s visit to Japan, and expressed the importance Japan attaches to the relationship with ASEAN, which is the cornerstone to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific as well as the growth center of the world. He also expressed his determination to further strengthen the ASEAN-Japan relations as “Trusted Partners” by steadily promoting cooperation under the three pillars of (1) people-to-people exchange and human resources development, (2) economic and social sectors including strengthening connectivity, and (3) peace and stability under the vision adopted at last year's Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, and by strengthening cooperation including in new areas such as DX and GX.
- In response, Secretary-General Kao Kim-Hourn expressed high expectations for the further strengthening of cooperation between Japan and ASEAN in the future. Minister Iwaya and Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn concurred to continue to work closely together.
- Minister Iwaya and Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn also exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar. Minister Iwaya conveyed Japan's support for ASEAN's efforts and stated that Japan will make efforts to improve the situation in Myanmar, including through humanitarian assistance. They concurred to continue to work closely together.