Japan and the Association of Southeast Asia (ASEAN) have agreed to expand security and economics cooperation due to increasing challenges related to China's aggressive actions in the region. This is stated in a joint statement by the leaders of the countries they accepted during a summit in Tokyo dedicated to the 50th anniversary of their relationship.
The statement has an obligation to strengthen cooperation at sea, improve supply chains, promote sustainable energy practices and expand interpersonal exchanges in various fields. The leaders of the countries have also announced the launch of a new initiative for the next generation automotive industry and development of strategies to support ASEAN as the main car production and export center.
The efforts of stimulating the economy in the fast -development region also provides for the maintenance of digital startups and accelerate investments to achieve decarbonization. Upon completion of the Japan Prime Minister, Fumio Kishid, he emphasized the strong mutual trust between Japan and ASEAN, and the president of the chairman of Indonesia, Joko, added that the parties will maintain peace and stability in the region, under international law.
It is noted that in recent years, Japan, trying to resist the growth of China's influence, has actively expanding its ties with the ASEAN countries, contributing to the development of the "global south", in particular, taking into account controversy in the South Chinese Sea. Japan considers its relations with ASEAN strategically important, in particular because of their location in the maritime routes and territorial disputes with China. Cooperation between Japan and ASEAN began in 1973 and continues in various fields, including trade and development.
