By Nabilah Salleh
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- Japan is upbeat with Indonesia’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year in further elevating the existing bilateral friendship and cooperation which is now into its 50th year.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Principal Deputy Director of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, Hideki Yazawa said as this year marks the golden jubilee celebration, Japan looked forward in collaborating with the Southeast Asian country, especially after its success in hosting the Group of 20 (G20) Summit last year.
“Plans are in the pipeline to collaborate with Indonesia through meetings, among others the commemorative summit scheduled in Tokyo this December and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), as both platforms are good opportunities for both sides to discuss further.”
Yazawa said this during an online press briefing held live from Tokyo across the ASEAN member states, Tuesday. The Japan Foundation Managing Director of the Planning Department, Masato Furuya was also present at the briefing.
It was reported that around December 2023, Japan will hold a commemorative summit in Tokyo to mark the 50th year of the ASEAN-Japan partnership. The summit will also unveil a new vision for ASEAN-Japan cooperation for the next 50 years, taking into account the critical international situation at this pivotal time.
On another development, Yazawa pointed out Japan’s consideration in upgrading its relations with ASEAN to a comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) as something natural.
He added as friendship and cooperation between ASEAN-Japan very important to both sides, the upgrading status call is due.
“ASEAN is one of the most important partners to Japan not only for economic and security reasons, but almost on every aspects. Also, not just to to our locals, but to the Asian region as well as to the world.
“As we shared that warm relationship, it is natural that Japan would want to pursue the relationship upgrade,” he added.
In an exclusive interview with Nikkei Asia in Jakarta recently, Japan’s Ambassador to ASEAN Masahiko Kiya was reported as saying that Japan "is now seriously considering upgrading to CSP status" from the current strategic partnership status with the regional bloc.
Through the report, Kiya repeatedly called this year a "milestone" in further strengthening cooperation between Japan and ASEAN as the two sides celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Themed "Golden Friendship, Golden Opportunity,” the 50th year of the ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation celebration will be carrying out campaigns in which everyone from the region can participate together.
Japan was ASEAN's first dialogue partner and held the first informal dialogue in 1973 before finally formalising relations in March 1977.
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