WNAM REPORT: Japan is committed to supporting ASEAN integration and further strengthening relations with ASEAN member countries, as a top priority, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi said in his video message sent to the ASEAN Future Forum 2025, which took place in Hanoi on February 25 and 26.
He said as the divisions and conflicts in the international community worsen and the security environment becomes ever more severe, the role of ASEAN, which is the “keystone” of the Indo-Pacific, is becoming increasingly important for peace and prosperity in the entire region.
In particular, Japan would like to create a vibrant future together with ASEAN, by promoting cooperation in emerging fields, such as green development (GX) and digital transformation (DX).
Japan will also further promote concrete cooperation under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) platform, he added.
The diplomat emphasised the importance of safeguarding freedom, the rule of law, and respecting diversity, inclusiveness and openess as the international community is now being greatly disrupted.
Japan is the first among ASEAN’s external partners to express its full support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
He said Japan is strongly encouraged that the AOIP shares fundamental principles including openness, transparency, inclusivity, and a rules-based framework with a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) which the country advocates.
Japan will continue to work side by side with ASEAN to support the mainstreaming of the AOIP.
Iwaya said that it is also extremely important for world peace and stability that ASEAN, which is developing as the world’s growth centre, plays a vital role to address not only regional but global issues. Japan wishes to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN on a global scale.
