Countries & Regions

On December 13, commencing at 7:10 p.m. for approximately one and a half hours, Mr. Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister, and Mrs. Abe hosted a dinner inviting the leaders from ASEAN countries and their spouses, who are visiting Japan to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative Summit to be held on December 14.

At the beginning of his remarks, Prime Minister Abe gave a prayer and asked for a minute of silence for the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines. Prime Minister Abe also looked back at the past 40 years of relations between Japan and ASEAN and stressed that he would further strengthen the relationship based on “heart-to-heart” understanding between Japan and ASEAN in the future.

As for the dishes, ingredients from the Tohoku region were used together with specialty products of ASEAN countries that added the essence of each region. This menu was arranged to promote and deepen the understanding of Japanese food and food culture among the guests.

The leaders of each country conversed in a friendly atmosphere wishing the success of the ASEAN- Japan Commemorative Summit scheduled for the next day.