Press Releases
The 41st ASEAN-Japan Forum
June 26, 2026
The 41st ASEAN-Japan Forum was held in Singapore on Thursday, June 26. Since its inception in 1977, the ASEAN-Japan Forum has taken place once a year in principle among SOM Leaders of Japan and ASEAN to discuss cooperation between ASEAN and Japan. This year marks the 41st ASEAN-Japan Forum.
- This year’s forum was co-chaired by Mr. NAMAZU Hiroyuki, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and H.E. Mr. Albert CHUA, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, the ASEAN Country Coordinator for Japan, and attended by representatives from the ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat.
- Against the backdrop of rapidly evolving regional and international circumstances surrounding both Japan and ASEAN, the participants from ASEAN Member States once again expressed their strong expectations for Japan as a “Trusted Partner.” Japan and ASEAN also reaffirmed their shared commitment to mainstreaming the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which shares fundamental principles with the updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" announced by Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, earlier this year. The participants engaged in robust exchanges of views on forging a new partnership between Japan and ASEAN — a cornerstone for realizing the FOIP — to grow stronger and more prosperous together. In addition, the SOM Leaders held discussion on regional and international affairs.