Highlighting JAPAN

21st Japan-ASEAN Summit Meeting

On November 14, 2018, the Japan-ASEAN Summit Meeting was held in the Republic of Singapore, chaired by H.E. Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister, attended from Japan.

Following the statement by Prime Minister Lee, Prime Minister Abe stated the following.

Looking to the next five years, Japan will newly support industrial human resource development of approximately 80,000 people, including the digital sector such as artificial intelligence (AI), as “the Industrial Human Resource Development Cooperation Initiative 2.0.”

As a standard-bearer of free trade, Japan will promote free and fair rules throughout the world through World Trade Organization (WTO) reform and other measures. From this perspective, the TPP-11 Agreement entering into force by the end of the year is an important achievement. Japan will aim to expand TPP-11, achieve swift conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations, and realize the early signing of the Protocol to Amend the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement.

Japan and Singapore will co-host the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) Tokyo High-level Meeting next year. Japan will cooperate with ASEAN to realize ASCN by partnering with Society 5.0, the ASEAN-Japan Innovation Network, and the Japan-ASEAN STI for SDGs Bridging Initiative, among others.

Japan will continue to deepen exchanges in the areas of education, science and technology, culture, and sports through the “WA Project” and other initiatives, building momentum towards the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

In response, ASEAN made congratulatory remarks regarding the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. In addition, many countries commended Japan’s cooperation in various areas including disaster management and strengthening connectivity, and expressed appreciation for Japan’s efforts to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific. Issues on North Korea and the South China Sea were also raised.

Finally, as the Chair of ASEAN and with the approval of all participating countries, Singapore declared the issuance of the Joint Statement of the 21st ASEAN-Japan Summit to Commemorate the 45th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and concluded the meeting.