Japan Stands With ASEAN On Myanmar, Looks To Deepen FOIP-AOIP Engagement

By Nabilah Saleh

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- Japan has reaffirmed its full support for ASEAN’s central role in addressing the protracted crisis in Myanmar, while expressing readiness to deepen regional cooperation through its Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy aligned with ASEAN’s own Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said Tokyo remains committed to ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and has maintained diplomatic channels with various stakeholders in Myanmar to ensure dialogue and humanitarian access.

“Japan has been consistently engaged on the Myanmar issue in close coordination with ASEAN, particularly through the Five-Point Consensus.

“While we have our own channels of communication with all stakeholders in Myanmar, we fully support ASEAN’s central role and initiatives,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently.

He acknowledged that progress has been slow since the 2021 military coup but stressed that Japan’s approach centres on long-term humanitarian and development support for the people of Myanmar.

“We understand the complexity, and while progress has been limited, we hope that under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, some traction can be made,” Shikata said.

Malaysia has stepped up diplomatic efforts on Myanmar, engaging both the military leadership and the National Unity Government (NUG) in pursuit of an inclusive political solution.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held separate meetings with representatives from both sides, urging an extended ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach conflict-affected areas.

Malaysia has proposed the appointment of a permanent ASEAN special envoy and reaffirmed its support for the Five-Point Consensus, focusing on constructive dialogue and humanitarian access.

Shikata said Japan is also ready to contribute further to ASEAN-led humanitarian responses through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), particularly for internally displaced communities.

On March 28 this year, a powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar, near Mandalay and Sagaing.

The quake caused catastrophic damage, destroying infrastructure, displacing thousands and reportedly killing over 3,700 people.

Turning to broader regional dynamics, Shikata pointed out that Japan’s FOIP strategy shares strong common ground with ASEAN’s AOIP, particularly in promoting inclusivity, openness, transparency and international law.

He said the alignment between the two frameworks offers a timely opportunity for Japan and ASEAN to work together on maritime security, sustainable development, infrastructure and economic integration.

“There is strong commonality between AOIP and FOIP, and we aim to identify concrete areas for collaboration between Japan and ASEAN under both frameworks,” he said.

AOIP, adopted in 2019, outlines the grouping’s approach to fostering inclusive and rules-based cooperation through ASEAN-led platforms such as the East Asia Summit.

Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy, introduced in 2016, emphasises freedom of navigation, rule of law, economic growth and regional stability.

Japan became ASEAN’s first dialogue partner in 1973, formalising the partnership in 1977.

Over the decades, Japan has steadily expanded its engagement with ASEAN, joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in 2004, appointing a dedicated ambassador to ASEAN in 2010 and establishing its permanent mission in Jakarta the following year.

In 2023, ASEAN and Japan elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting Tokyo’s enduring support for ASEAN centrality and regional cooperation across political, economic and socio-cultural pillars.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will be in Kuala Lumpur from July 9 to 11 to attend the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings.

-- BERNAMA