Press Releases
Meeting between Foreign Minister MOTEGI and Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN
October 21, 2026
On October 21, commencing at 4:00 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
- At the beginning, Minister MOTEGI welcomed Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn’s visit to Japan and extended his appreciation for the efforts made by Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in strengthening ASEAN-Japan relations.
- Furthermore, Minister MOTEGI reaffirmed Japan’s support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which shares fundamental principles with “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and welcomed ASEAN's appreciation for the increasing alignment between the updated FOIP and the AOIP. In addition, Minister MOTEGI reaffirmed Japan’s intention to promote the updated FOIP and strengthen concrete cooperation with ASEAN, which is key to realizing FOIP, to enhance resilience of countries and their freedom to decide for themselves. Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn stated that the initiatives led by Japan, a trusted partner for 50 years, are crucial for the stability and prosperity of the region and the two sides concurred to continue working closely together toward the ASEAN-related Summit Meetings next month.
- Minister MOTEGI also noted that next year marks the 50th anniversary since then-Prime Minister FUKUDA Takeo announced the "Fukuda Doctrine"—the three principles of Japan’s diplomacy toward Southeast Asia—in 1977 and expressed Japan’s determination to continue building a peaceful and prosperous future with ASEAN as “Trusted Partners” with “heart-to-heart” connections. In response, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn expressed high expectations for further strengthening cooperation between Japan and ASEAN in the future. The two sides concurred to continue to work closely together in various areas.