Press Releases

1. Minister Hayashi delivered a speech to approximately 150 participants, including H.E. Dr. Marty Natalegawa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia who participated in the symposium as the keynote speaker, as well as experts from Japan and ASEAN Member States, members of the diplomatic corps, and others. In his remarks, Minister Hayashi expressed an intention to further strengthen ASEAN-Japan relations, taking into account the valuable opinions presented at the symposium. Minister Hayashi described the relationship between Japan and ASEAN, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, as being characterized by “heart-to-heart” mutual understanding. Touching on the Japan Foundation’s initiatives to promote exchanges such as the WA Project, Minister Hayashi stated that Japan will continue to promote cultural and people-to-people exchange initiatives that will succeed the WA Project.
2. The remarks were followed by a presentation of an award to Mr. TANABE Masaya of Tokyo, whose logo was selected in a contest for the official logo for “The 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.” Minister Hayashi presented the award certificate and commemorative plaque. Prizes were also conferred by H.E. Mr. Singtong Lapisatepun, Ambassador to Japan of Thailand, which is the ASEAN Country Coordinator for Japan, and Mr. HIRABAYASHI Kunihiko, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre.
3. This year marks the historic 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, and commemorative events and exchange programs are scheduled to be held by the public and private sectors throughout the year for building further hype for the 50th anniversary in Japan and ASEAN Member States. The special website of the ASEAN-Japan Centre for the 50th anniversary has opened a call for accreditation of events and use of the official logo and catchphrase, “Golden Friendship, Golden Opportunities.”

[Reference 1] PDF Attachment
Speech by Foreign Minister Hayashi (Japanese (PDF)  / English (PDF) )

[Reference 2] Official website of the symposium organized by the Japan Foundation (Japanese / English) 

[Reference 3] Announcement of Official Logo and Catchphrase for “The 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation” (website of MOFA) (Japanese / English)