On the 6th, Japan and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) adopted a joint statement upgrading their relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership."
According to Kyodo News, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is visiting Jakarta, Indonesia, held a meeting with ASEAN leaders on the day to strengthen ties and agreed to enhance cooperation in maritime areas targeting China.
At the summit, the leaders stated, with China in mind, that "unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force anywhere in the world must not be tolerated." Japan and some ASEAN countries are building a cooperative system to check China, which is accelerating its maritime expansion.
Prime Minister Kishida expressed serious concerns about North Korea's nuclear and missile development and requested ASEAN's cooperation to resolve the issue of abductees. He also mentioned the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and conveyed his intention to fully support ASEAN's efforts to urge the Myanmar military regime to stop violent acts and civilian killings.
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of exchanges with ASEAN, Prime Minister Kishida announced plans to hold a summit with ASEAN countries in Tokyo this December, stating, "We want to jointly create a vision to build a new era together."
He is also reported to have explained the safety of the ocean discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (referred to by the Japanese government as "treated water") and sought understanding from each country.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that ASEAN requires infrastructure investments worth $184 billion annually (approximately 245 trillion won) and expressed hope that Japan would contribute to the ASEAN region.
Earlier, Prime Minister Kishida announced the "Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Connectivity Initiative" at the "ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum." He explained the cooperation areas Japan will pursue with ASEAN, including transportation infrastructure development, digital connectivity, maritime cooperation, supply chain strengthening, power connectivity, and the connection of people and knowledge, and pledged support to nurture 5,000 talents over the next three years. Kishida emphasized, "We will promote technological cooperation with several ASEAN countries to strengthen networks and grow together with ASEAN."
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