Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has called for cooperation in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific at a summit meeting with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Takaichi attended the Japan-ASEAN summit in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, her first overseas trip since taking office last week.
Takaichi stressed that Japan and ASEAN have been building a relationship as trusted partners with heart-to-heart ties for a long time through broader bilateral cooperation.
She said she wants to further advance cooperation to make both sides stronger and more prosperous.
Japan and the regional bloc confirmed that they will strengthen cooperation on national security through a framework offering defense equipment and other material to like-minded countries.
They also agreed to work together in the use of artificial intelligence, and the creation of a working group aimed at strengthening Japan-ASEAN economic ties.
ASEAN welcomed Tokyo’s effort to advance cooperation, instead of division and confrontation, through the initiative.
The meeting’s participants adopted a joint statement in which they emphasize the importance of international order based on the rule of law.
AloJapan.com