Half a century of building a trusted partnership between ASEAN and Japan

ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS)

Regarding the relationship between ASEAN and Japan, at the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio stated that the two sides share a trustworthy partnership, closely linked from heart to heart. At the Summit, the head of the Japanese Government expressed his desire to continue to participate and actively and effectively contribute to ASEAN-led mechanisms. Prime Minister Kishida Fumio also affirmed his consistent support for ASEAN's solidarity and central role, as well as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo- Pacific (AOIP), which shares fundamental principles with Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), based on pillars including the rule of law, peace and prosperity in the region. Leaders of ASEAN member countries and Japan maintain close dialogue through various channels and forums, including the ASEAN-Japan Summit, Ministerial Meetings, Senior Officials and Experts Meetings. At the same time, Japan has actively participated in many mechanisms and activities chaired by ASEAN, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN+3, East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+), Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF)... Over the past 50 years, ASEAN-Japan relations have developed comprehensively and dynamically in all areas. As the second largest foreign direct investor and fourth largest trading partner of ASEAN, Japan is considered one of the "most reliable" economic partners of the Association. The Japanese Government supports ASEAN's solidarity, unity and central role, and has carried out many practical cooperation activities to support ASEAN in building the community. According to Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Kiya Masahiko, the values ​​that ASEAN and Japan share are peace, trust and mutual respect. One of the important pillars for the achievements of bilateral cooperation is the emphasis that both ASEAN and Japan have placed on people-to-people and cultural exchanges, especially among young people and intellectuals. Aiming to build a solid foundation for solidarity in the region, since 2007, the Japanese Government has initiated the Japan-East Asian Countries and Youth Exchange Program (JENESYS). Through the Program, Southeast Asian youth are invited to Japan and Japanese youth to countries in the region for exchanges and activities with the aim of deepening mutual understanding among the generation of young people who will take on the responsibility of nation building in the future. To date, the total number of members of the Association of Southeast Asian Alumni in Japan (ASCOJA) is more than 50,000. By establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership, ASEAN and Japan aim to maintain and promote trade and investment exchanges, stabilize production and supply chains, and effectively implement the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). At the same time, the two sides shared the orientation of promoting cooperation in disaster management, innovation, digital transformation, climate change response, clean energy transition, green growth, etc. As an active and proactive member of ASEAN, Vietnam always supports the strong development and closer ties in ASEAN-Japan relations. According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu, the newly established Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will actively contribute to further promoting ASEAN-Japan relations, bringing practical benefits to the people of Japan, Vietnam and ASEAN. The Ambassador emphasized that over the past half century, ASEAN and Japan have become indispensable partners, bringing great benefits to both sides. The upcoming 50th Anniversary Summit in Tokyo is an opportunity for ASEAN and Japan to look back on the past, the achievements of cooperation, and set out directions, creating new momentum, and developing stronger bilateral relations in the future.