Kuala lumpur: As this year marks historic milestones such as the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN Community, the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the East Asia Summit (EAS), Japan pledges full support for ASEAN’s future goals. Japan is committed to fostering a ‘resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN Community’ as outlined in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Japan is strengthening its relationship with ASEAN as a top diplomatic focus under the Ishiba administration, which aims to listen to the voices of Asia and act collaboratively to solve issues. Japan is particularly interested in partnering with ASEAN in emerging fields such as Green Transformation (GX) and Digital Transformation (DX), aiming to achieve a vibrant future together. Through the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) platform, Japan plans to promote cooperation to achieve decarbonization, economic growth, and energy
security.
Additionally, Japan seeks to address economic challenges such as organized fraud originating in Southeast Asia, working alongside ASEAN countries to tackle these issues. The international community faces significant turmoil, including North Korea’s nuclear developments and coercive attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Japan emphasizes the importance of upholding freedom, the rule of law, and promoting inclusiveness and openness.
Japan appreciates the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which aligns with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) principles. Japan aims to mainstream AOIP principles, reflecting a commitment to openness, transparency, inclusiveness, and a rules-based framework. In light of the unsettled situation in Gaza, Japan, in collaboration with Palestine and Malaysia, will organize the Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) to discuss support measures f
or Palestine.
These collaborative efforts are cemented by the close ties between Japan and Malaysia. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru visited Malaysia to deepen cooperation in security, economy, disaster management, and human resource development, following an agreement with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Japan remains dedicated to enhancing bilateral cooperation with Malaysia as a Comprehensive and Strategic Partner across various sectors, including security and the economy.