Press Releases
Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister MOTEGI by the ASEAN Committee in Tokyo (ACT)
March 16, 2026
On March 16, 2026, commencing at 5:40 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, received a courtesy call by the ASEAN Committee in Tokyo (ACT). The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister MOTEGI first expressed his congratulations on Timor-Leste’s formal accession to ASEAN in October last year. He noted that Japan attaches great importance to its relations with ASEAN, which is a key partner in realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
- Minister MOTEGI further noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of Japan’s proposal of FOIP. Amid intensifying geopolitical competition and an international order that is being shaken, Japan will continue to evolve FOIP itself in line with changes in the times. In this regard, he noted that Japan will respect ASEAN centrality and unity and promote cooperation between the FOIP and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), thereby further advancing Japan–ASEAN relations.
- In response, the ACT Ambassadors and representatives expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to exchange views. The ACT members also stated the Minister's early visit to Southeast Asia right after Minister’s appointment and his efforts to strengthen relations with respective ASEAN Member States were meaningful. The ACT members expressed their appreciation for the cooperation between Japan and ASEAN to date, including Japan’s support for ASEAN centrality and unity, and expressed their high expectations that Japan–ASEAN relations, as well as the bilateral relations between Japan and each ASEAN Member State, will be further strengthened across a wide range of fields.
- Furthermore, Minister MOTEGI stated that, with regard to the situation surrounding Iran, achieving an early de-escalation is of utmost importance, and that Japan will continue to make all diplomatic efforts to resolve issue surrounding Iran, noting that Japan would like to work closely with ASEAN countries on this matter.