Press Releases
Video Message by Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, for the ASEAN Future Forum 2025
February 26, 2025
Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, delivered a video message on the occasion of “ASEAN Future Forum 2025” being held on February 25th and 26th (hosted by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam) in Hanoi, the capital of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The outline of the message is as follows.
- As the divisions and conflicts in the international community worsen and the security environment becomes ever more severe, the role of ASEAN, which is the “keystone” of the Indo-Pacific region, is becoming increasingly important for peace and prosperity in the entire region. Japan is committed to supporting ASEAN integration and further strengthening relations with ASEAN countries, as one of our top priorities. In particular, we would like to create a vibrant future together with ASEAN, by promoting cooperation in emerging fields, such as GX and DX. We will also further promote concrete cooperation under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) platform.
- As the international community is now being greatly disrupted, it is crucial to safeguard freedom and the rule of law, and to respect diversity, inclusiveness, and openness. Japan is the first among ASEAN’s external partners to express its full support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). We are strongly encouraged that the AOIP shares fundamental principles including openness, transparency, inclusivity, and a rules-based framework with a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) which we advocate. We will continue to work side by side with ASEAN to support the mainstreaming of the AOIP.
- Also, it is extremely important for world peace and stability that ASEAN, which is developing as the world's growth center, plays a vital role to address not only regional but global issues. Japan would like to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN on a global scale. The Conference on Cooperation among East Asian countries for Palestinian Development, CEAPAD, whereby Japan and ASEAN are contributing to the stability and prosperity of the Middle East together, is a good example.
- Japan and ASEAN are true friends with ‘‘heart-to-heart’’ connections. Let’s work together to shape the future of Asia and the world.