7 Regional and Inter-Regional Cooperation

In the Indo-Pacific region, the world's growth center, it is important to ensure peace and prosperity for the entire region, and by extension for the world, by realizing a free and open order based on the rule of law. From this perspective, Japan strategically advances initiatives toward realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” through various regional cooperative frameworks, including cooperation with like-minded countries such as Australia, India, ASEAN countries, and Europe, Japan-ASEAN, Japan-Mekong cooperation, ASEAN Plus Three (Japan, China and the Republic of Korea (ROK)), East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), while maintaining the Japan-U.S. Alliance as the cornerstone of its foreign policy. In particular, the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP),”²⁹ adopted by ASEAN in 2019, shares fundamental principles with FOIP, such as the rule of law, freedom and openness. While respecting the ASEAN centrality and unity, Japan will further expand the support of the international community for AOIP, and intends to implement concrete Japan-ASEAN cooperation conducive to the principles of AOIP, and, as an “Indo-Pacific State,” contribute to the stability and prosperity of the entire Indo-Pacific region.

• 29 AOIP was adopted at the ASEAN Summit Meeting in June 2019. In addition to strengthening ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific region, AOIP sets out to promote cooperation in areas such as maritime cooperation, connectivity, SDGs, and the economy based on the principles of openness, transparency, inclusiveness, rules-based frameworks, good governance, respect for sovereignty, non-interference, complementarity with existing cooperation frameworks, equality, mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, and respect for international laws including the UN Charter, the UNCLOS, and other relevant UN conventions.

(1) The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Located in the heart of the vast Indo-Pacific, ASEAN is key to the realization of FOIP. At the ASEAN-related Summit Meetings held in November 2015, ASEAN declared to establish three communities; “ASEAN Political-Security Community,” the “ASEAN Economic Community” and the “ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community” within 2015 (2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Community). Moreover, “ASEAN2025: Forging Ahead Together” was adopted as a guiding policy for the ASEAN Community for the 10 years from 2016 to 2025. In June 2019, the AOIP was adopted.

In East Asia where ASEAN plays an important role as a center of regional cooperation, multi-layered regional cooperation, such as ASEAN Plus Three (Japan, China and the ROK), EAS and ARF, is operating with ASEAN at its center, and cooperative relationships in a wide range of areas including politics, security and the economy have been established.

On the economic front, ASEAN has concluded the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) as well as other EPAs and FTAs with various countries including Japan, China, the ROK and India, thereby expanding the ASEAN centered free trade zone. In November 2020, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement was signed by 15 countries, including Japan and 10 ASEAN countries, and it entered into force on January 1, 2022. While working closely with participating countries to ensure the full implementation of the RCEP Agreement, Japan will continue to play a leading role for the future participation of India in the Agreement, as India declined signing.

(2) Issue of the South China Sea

The issue with regard to the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability of the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community. As a stakeholder that makes use of the South China Sea, the issue is also an important matter of interest for Japan, which depends on sea transport for most of its resources and energy.

China has been continuing and strengthening its actions to unilaterally change the status quo and increase regional tensions against the rule of law and openness, such as with further militarization of disputed features (see Chapter 3, Section 1, 3 (4)). Furthermore, China has not changed its position of not accepting the Arbitral Tribunal's award³⁰ to the Philippines and China, and has continued to assert maritime claims that are inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The international community, including Japan, has expressed serious concerns about China's unilateral attempts to change the status quo and render them faits accomplis, as well as actions that increase regional tensions. Japan also strongly opposes unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion and from the standpoint that the three principles of the rule of law at sea should be consistently adhered (see Chapter 3, Section 1, 6 (2)), has also consistently emphasized the importance of all the concerned parties related to the South China Sea to work toward peaceful settlement of disputes based on international law, in particular UNCLOS. Additionally, Japan has pointed out that China's assertions regarding baselines in the South China Sea are not based on relevant provisions of UNCLOS and that it is important to protect the freedom of navigation and overflight, including in the sea and airspace surrounding and above maritime features found to be low-tide elevations that do not have territorial sea and territorial airspace of their own according to the award of the Arbitral Tribunal. Japan has also pointed out that the basis of the “historical rights” claimed by China is not clear under international law, and the Arbitral Tribunal ruled that the “historical rights” based on the “nine-dash line” claimed by China were found to be contrary to UNCLOS and were clearly denied. Foreign Minister Hayashi issued a statement reiterating Japan's position on the importance of the rule of law and on the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law in July 2022, in addition to the statement issued in July 2021, which marked five years since the Arbitral Tribunal's award as to the disputes between the Philippines and China.

In 2018, negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea commenced between China and ASEAN. Japan considers that the COC should be effective, substantive, and consistent with UNCLOS and respect the legitimate rights and interests of all stakeholders who use the South China Sea, and has advocated for the importance of such efforts leading to demilitarization of the area and to the realization of a peaceful and open South China Sea.

• 30 In January 2013, the Government of the Philippines instituted arbitral proceedings under UNCLOS as to the disputes between the Philippines and China regarding the South China Sea. The Arbitral Tribunal organized by these proceedings rendered the final award on July 12, 2016. Japan issued a statement by the Foreign Minister on the same day, stating, “As the Tribunal's award is final and legally binding on the parties to the dispute under the provisions of UNCLOS, the parties to this case are required to comply with the award. Japan strongly hopes that the parties' compliance with the award will eventually lead to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea.”

(3) Japan-ASEAN Relations

Realizing a more stable and prosperous ASEAN, the key to the realization of FOIP, is absolutely essential to the stability and prosperity of the region as a whole. Japan is actively supporting ASEAN's efforts in accordance with “ASEAN Community Vision 2025” for further integration even after the establishment of the ASEAN Community, while steadily implementing the “Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation” adopted at the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit to commemorate the 40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in 2013. Furthermore, based on the “Joint Statement of the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit on Cooperation on ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific”, adopted in 2020, Japan has been building up concrete cooperation in line with AOIP's priority areas of maritime cooperation, connectivity, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and economic and other possible areas of cooperation. The Statement was the first joint statement on AOIP adopted by ASEAN with external partners, and has been followed by similar joint statements between ASEAN and other dialogue partners. In 2023, Japan and ASEAN will also celebrate the 50th Year of Friendship and Cooperation. In the lead up to the 50th anniversary year, the official logo and catchphrase of “Golden Friendship, Golden Opportunities,” selected from a large number of entries by the general public, were jointly announced at the ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting in August 2022. Furthermore, the ASEAN-Japan Summit held in November agreed, with the support of many countries, that a Commemorative Summit to be held in Tokyo around December 2023. At this Commemorative Summit meeting, Japan and ASEAN will announce a new vision for ASEAN-Japan relations.

Official logo for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation
The catchphrase is “Golden Friendship, Golden Opportunities.”

25th ASEAN-Japan Summit (November 11, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)

At the ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting in August and at the ASEAN-Japan Summit in December, Foreign Minister Hayashi and Prime Minister Kishida, respectively, reiterated Japan's strong and consistent support for ASEAN centrality and unity, and introduced concrete cooperation in line with AOIP. In particular, at the Summit Meeting, a Progress Report on AOIP cooperation was released, introducing the fact that, since the 2020 Joint Statement, there have been a total of 89 concrete cooperation projects in total. Regarding economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Kishida introduced Japan's financial support loans of approximately 295 billion yen in total to ASEAN countries as part of Japan's support to the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF), and reaffirmed Japan's continued commitment to assisting the sustainable growth of ASEAN countries. He also expressed Japan's intention to continue supporting the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) including through the dispatch of Japanese health experts.

Heading toward the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation next year, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan would enhance cooperation in the areas of maritime cooperation such as maritime traffic safety, assistance for connectivity such as quality infrastructure investment, healthcare including universal health coverage, measures to address climate change and disaster prevention, and also cooperation in a wide range of economic areas such as supply chain resilience, digital technology and food security. He additionally stated that Japan would like to realize the Asia Zero Emissions Community initiative by fully mobilizing its know-how and experience.

In response to this, ASEAN countries expressed appreciation and gratitude to the various efforts mentioned above, such as assistance for the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and for the establishment of the ACPHEED. They also highly valued Japan's cooperation on the AOIP and expressed high expectation for continued close cooperation.

Prime Minister Kishida also stated that Japan and ASEAN share the view on many points regarding regional and international issues. He addressed issues such as Myanmar, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and North Korea, clearly stating Japan's position.

In response, some ASEAN countries mentioned the importance of the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, and of the respect for international law, in particular UNCLOS, among other matters. Furthermore, some ASEAN countries expressed concern over tensions caused by North Korea's ballistic missile launches, and mentioned the importance of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions as well as their support for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.

(4) Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting (Participating Countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam and Japan)

The Mekong region (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam) is the core of the Indo- Pacific and is Japan's Strategic Partner with strong economic growth and potential. Peace and prosperity in the Mekong region are extremely important to Asia as a whole, including Japan, since it contributes to narrowing the development gap in the region and promoting regional integration within ASEAN. From this perspective, Japan has been holding the Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting every year since 2009. Although the 2021 and 2022 Mekong-Japan Summit Meetings were postponed due to circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the situation in Myanmar, Japan will continue to steadily implement Mekong-Japan cooperation and to maintain its steadfast commitment to the region. Japan will continue to contribute to the prosperity and development of the region as a reliable partner for Mekong region countries.

(5) ASEAN Plus Three (Participating Countries: 10 ASEAN countries and Japan, China and the ROK)

The ASEAN Plus Three was established in 1997, when the Asian financial crisis triggered the addition of three countries (China, Japan, and the ROK) to ASEAN. ASEAN Plus Three has developed with a focus on areas such as finance and food security. Today, it covers cooperation in 24 areas, including finance, agriculture and food, education, culture, tourism, health, energy and the environment. Under the “ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan (2018-2022),” further cooperation has developed in each area.

At the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in August, the new “ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan (2023-2027)” was adopted. There, Foreign Minister Hayashi introduced Japan's initiatives in support of COVID-19 countermeasures, food security, regional financial cooperation, and maritime cooperation as examples of Japan's active contributions to ASEAN Plus Three. He also stressed that Japan supports ASEAN unity and centrality and that Japan values cooperation in line with the AOIP. Furthermore, China asserted its position on the situation in Taiwan, and Foreign Minister Hayashi stated that Japan expects the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues through dialogue.

23rd ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting (August 4, Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

At the 25th ASEAN Plus Three Summit Meeting held in November, with regard to ASEAN Plus Three cooperation, Prime Minister Kishida expressed Japan's intention to steadily promote initiatives, including in new areas such as the digital economy and resilient agriculture, based on the new ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan starting from 2023. Furthermore, he also stated that Japan would also promote the following specific cooperation in line with the four priority areas of the AOIP within the ASEAN Plus Three framework: (a) regarding maritime cooperation, Japan will support the training of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) operators and will provide support for the formulation of National Action Plans and ocean monitoring on marine plastic litter; (b) regarding connectivity, Japan will facilitate quality infrastructure investment and will support soft connectivity such as Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), development of legal systems, fostering of people-to-people exchanges; (c) toward achieving SDGs, Japan will support the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) and the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS), support the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) for its expeditious operationalization, support balanced decarbonization, and assist ASEAN in formulating an ASEAN Climate Change Strategic Action Plan toward 2030; and (d) regarding economy and finance, Japan will invest in innovation and start-ups, enhance the resiliency of supply chains, further strengthen the functions of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM)³¹, and contribute to initiatives that improve financial resiliency against the impacts of financial digitalization and natural disaster risks, etc.

Regarding regional and international affairs, Prime Minister Kishida clearly stated Japan's position on the situations over Ukraine, North Korea, and Myanmar. He also asked for continued understanding and cooperation toward the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. Finally, he expressed his intention to deepen cooperation under ASEAN Plus Three framework in order to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, not force, in the region.

• 31 Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) is a framework that was agreed upon at the 2nd ASEAN Plus Three Finance Ministers' Meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand in May 2000, in response to the Asian currency crisis of 1997-98, with the aim of preventing a recurrence of the currency crisis within the East Asian region. In order to prevent a regional chain reaction and the spread of financial crises, short-term US dollar funds are provided in local currencies through currency swaps (exchanges) to countries that have experienced difficulties in making foreign currency payments.

(6) East Asia Summit (EAS) (Participating Countries: 10 ASEAN countries and Japan, China, the ROK, Australia, New Zealand, India, the U.S. and Russia)

Launched in 2005, the EAS is the premier forum of the region, which aims to facilitate candid dialogue among leaders on issues of importance to the region and the international community, and to promote leaders-led cooperation in politics, security and the economy. Moreover, many democratic nations take part in the EAS, and it is expected that the EAS will contribute to the sharing of fundamental values and principles in the region, including democracy and the rule of law, as well as to strengthening international rules and norms concerning trade and investment.

At the EAS Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in August, Foreign Minister Hayashi strongly condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine. He also strongly condemned that the ballistic missiles launched by China landed in the sea close to Japan, including its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He also clearly stated Japan's position on the situation in North Korea, including the abductions issue, the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea, Hong Kong, the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), and the situation in Myanmar.

At the 17th East Asia Summit held in November, with regard to regional cooperation, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan consistently supports ASEAN centrality and unity, and reiterated that Japan values implementing cooperation in line with the priority areas of the AOIP.

17th EAS (November 13, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)

Regarding regional and international affairs, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Russia's aggression against Ukraine violates international law and any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force should never be tolerated anywhere in the world, and stressed that Russia's threat to use nuclear weapons is absolutely unacceptable, let alone their actual use. Russia's aggression against Ukraine was also condemned by other participating countries.

Prime Minister Kishida pointed out that China's activities that infringe upon Japan's sovereignty had been continuing and intensifying in the East China Sea and that actions, such as militarization and coercive actions, that escalate tensions in the region continue in the South China Sea. Referring to ballistic missiles that landed in the waters near Japan including its EEZ in August this year, he stated that the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is an important issue which directly impacts regional security as well. Prime Minister Kishida also expressed serious concerns about the situation in Hong Kong and the human rights situation in the XUAR. Furthermore, he expressed his strong opposition to any economic coercion in the region. The importance of freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and of the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS, was also mentioned, and the importance of peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait was emphasized by other participating countries. Some countries also expressed concerns on the situation in Hong Kong and mentioned the human rights situation in the XUAR, and economic coercion.

Regarding North Korea, Prime Minister Kishida stated that North Korea had been launching the spate of ballistic missiles with extremely high frequency, and that these missile launches constitute a clear and serious challenge to the international community and cannot be tolerated. He then reiterated that it is essential for the international community to come together and fully implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions for achieving the CVID (complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement) of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges of North Korea. Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida asked for continued understanding and cooperation toward the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. Concerns about North Korea's extremely high frequency of ballistic missile launches were also expressed by other participating countries, and the importance of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions as well as the early resolution of the abductions issue were also addressed.

As for Myanmar, Prime Minister Kishida expressed that Japan seriously deplores the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and provides its utmost support for ASEAN's efforts for the implementation of Five-Point Consensus. He also called for the immediate cessation of violence as well as safe and unhindered humanitarian access. Other participating countries also expressed serious concerns over the situation in Myanmar and emphasized the importance of implementing the Five-Point Consensus.

(7) Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Cooperation

Trilateral cooperation among Japan, China and the ROK continues to be vital from the perspective of promoting exchanges and mutual understanding among the three countries that enjoy geographical proximity and share deep historical ties. Furthermore, as economies that play a major role in the world economy and serve as the force driving prosperity of the East Asian region, trilateral cooperation among Japan, China and the ROK is one of the areas of cooperation that has huge potential in efforts to tackle various issues in the international community.

In order to continue and promote practical cooperation in a variety of fields while also paying close attention to the situation with COVID-19, the 13th Japan-China-ROK Culture Ministers' Meeting in August, and the 23rd Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting among China, Japan, and the ROK and the Fifteenth Tripartite Health Ministers Meeting in December were held online, where the Ministers of the three countries exchanged views and released Joint Statements. In October, the 15th Trilateral Cultural Content Industry Forum was held face-to-face in the ROK, and working-level consultations were also conducted.

(8) Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) (See Chapter 3, Section 3, 3 (3))

Consisting of 21 economies (countries and regions) in the Asia-Pacific region, APEC promotes regional economic integration and cooperation across the region among the member economies on a voluntary basis. As the Asia-Pacific region is positioned as the “world's growth center,” strengthening economic cooperation and trust in economic aspects in this region is crucial in pursuing Japan's further economic development.

At the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, which was held face-to-face in November in Bangkok, Thailand for the first time in four years, the Bangkok Goals on the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy, which describes efforts for sustainable growth in the APEC region after COVID-19 pandemic, was endorsed, in addition to the 2022 Leaders' Declaration. Prime Minister Kishida, who attended the meeting, expressed his determination to put the Japanese economy on a new growth trajectory and to contribute to inclusive and sustainable growth of the Asia-Pacific region by aiming to realize a new form of capitalism.

(9) South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

SAARC was officially inaugurated in 1985 with multiple objectives such as enhancing the welfare of citizens of the South Asian countries, and cooperation and collaboration in economic and social development and cultural areas. As of 2022, SAARC has eight member states (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives and Afghanistan) and nine observer countries and institutions including Japan. As a relatively loose framework of regional cooperation, SAARC has worked primarily on economic, social and cultural areas, through summit meetings and meetings of the Council at the ministerial level (Foreign Ministers' meetings). As part of the youth exchange between Japan and SAARC, Japan has invited 3,615 people as of the end of 2022.

(10) Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

IORA is a regional organization whose main purpose is to promote economic cooperation in the Indian Ocean rim region, and Japan has been participating as a dialogue partner country since 1999. State Minister for Foreign Affairs TAKEI Shunsuke attended the 22nd Meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers, and introduced Japan's support for IORA member countries in strengthening maritime security capabilities and climate change measures as part of Japan's efforts to realize FOIP. He also explained the importance of transparent and fair development finance.