KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for deeper ASEAN-Japan cooperation anchored in trust, shared values, and decades of friendship.
He emphasised that the partnership’s vast potential relies on these foundations during his opening remarks at the 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit.
Anwar stated that ASEAN looks forward to working closely with Japan to advance their shared vision of innovation, clean energy and resilient growth.
He welcomed Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to her first ASEAN-Japan Summit and congratulated her on assuming office.
Anwar expressed hope that Takaichi’s leadership would bring new energy to the long-standing friendship between ASEAN and Japan.
He looked forward to hearing colleagues’ views as they chart a renewed and forward-looking direction for ASEAN-Japan cooperation.
Takaichi, president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was elected as Japan’s Prime Minister last Tuesday.
She became Japan’s first female leader in the country’s political history.
In her opening remarks, Takaichi said Japan seeks to leverage its Free and Open Indo-Pacific policy to strengthen ties with ASEAN.
She noted that Japan and ASEAN have built a trust-based partnership founded on a heart-to-heart connection through long-standing cooperation.
The newly elected Prime Minister stated that Japan advocates the FOIP and has consistently supported the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
She emphasised that both frameworks share the same fundamental principles and values.
Takaichi expressed gratification at adopting a joint statement with ASEAN leaders forming synergy between FOIP and AOIP.
The joint statement confirms their commitment to promoting further cooperation between Japan and ASEAN.
She highlighted that next year marks the 10th anniversary since late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe launched FOIP in 2016.
Japan will use this opportunity to reposition FOIP as a pillar of Japanese diplomacy and evolve it with changing times. – Bernama
