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Japan, ASEAN to vow to widen cooperative fields as ties mark 50 years

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Kyodo News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Leaders begin the opening session of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo, Japan on Dec.17, 2023. ABS-CBN News/Joyce Balancio " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/overseas/12/17/asean.jpg"/><figcaption>Leaders begin the opening session of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo, Japan on Dec.17, 2023. <em>ABS-CBN News/Joyce Balancio </em></figcaption></figure></div><p>TOKYO — Leaders of Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are expected to agree Sunday on expanding their relations in the economic and security fields at a summit to commemorate 50 years of their friendship and cooperation.</p><p>After the gathering in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his ASEAN counterparts will issue a &quot;joint vision statement&quot; and implementation plan showing future areas of cooperation, such as maritime security and supply chains, according to Japanese government officials.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2903048" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><p>The leaders will also announce the launch of a new initiative for the next-generation car industry aimed at mapping out strategies to enable ASEAN to continue being the world&#x27;s hub of auto production and exports, the officials said.</p><p>Among other new efforts to further boost the economy in the fast-growing region will be supporting digital startups as well as accelerating public and private investment to achieve decarbonization, they added.</p><p>&quot;Based on trust between Japan and ASEAN, we will work more closely than ever to create a sustainable and prosperous future together,&quot; Kishida said at the outset of the talks, which was open to the media.</p><p>Kishida and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who are serving as co-chairs, are set to hold a joint press conference after the summit.</p><p>During the meeting, the Indonesian president, popularly known as Jokowi, expressed hope that Japan will contribute to maintaining the resilience of the Indo-Pacific region.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/11/05/23/a-quick-look-at-phs-defense-cooperation-deal-with-japan">A quick look at PH&#x27;s defense cooperation deal with Japan</a></li></ul><p>The gathering comes as Tokyo has strengthened its ties with developing and emerging countries collectively called the &quot;Global South,&quot; including ASEAN members, to capitalize on their growth while trying to counter China&#x27;s increasing economic and military clout.</p><p>Japan regards its relations with ASEAN as strategically important, with the bloc facing the South China Sea, home to one of the world&#x27;s busiest maritime sea lanes. Some of the 10 ASEAN members have overlapping territorial claims with China there.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/12/16/23/japan-to-provide-rescue-boats-to-malaysian-military">Japan to provide rescue boats to Malaysian military amid China&#x27;s rise</a></li></ul><p>Tokyo&#x27;s substantial cooperation with ASEAN goes back to 1973, when they set up a forum on synthetic rubber as a solution to a trade dispute over Japanese rubber exports. Kishida said Japan will promote the exchange of young business leaders with the region.</p><p>ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Myanmar, which has been under military rule since a February 2021 coup, was not invited to the summit.</p><p>The nine participating ASEAN leaders are scheduled to attend a separate summit of the 11-member Asia Zero Emission Community framework, also involving Japan and Australia, on Monday, with the focus on reducing carbon emissions.</p>

Among new efforts to further boost the economy in the fast-growing region will be supporting digital startups as well as accelerating public and private investment to achieve decarbonization.