Press Releases
Courtesy Call on Parliamentary Vice-Minister FUJII by participants of “JENESYS ASEAN-Japan Sports (Rugby) × SDGs Exchange”
November 2, 2026
On November 2, Mr. FUJII Kazuhiro, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, received a delegation of about 80 high school students from ASEAN countries, who are visiting Japan to participate in the “JENESYS ASEAN-Japan Sports (Rugby) × SDGs Exchange”.
- At the outset, Parliamentary Vice-Minister FUJII stated that ASEAN and Japan have forged close cooperation for over 50 years towards peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. He 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.
- Furthermore, Parliamentary Vice-Minister FUJII expressed his hope that the participants would deepen their understanding of initiatives for the SDGs through rugby, experience various aspects of Japan, and share their fond memories with the people they met through this program as well as the interesting aspects of Japan with many others. He also expressed his expectation that the participants would play active roles as bridges between Japan and their respective countries
- On behalf of the delegation, a student from the Philippines, the current ASEAN Chair country, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit Japan and participate in the JENESYS program alongside fellow participants from other ASEAN countries, and to experience Japan's SDG initiatives through rugby, while also sharing their aspirations for the future.
- At the end of the courtesy call, Parliamentary Vice-Minister FUJII, guests and the delegation took photos together to commemorate the program.