Kishida announces capacity building projects to promote cooperation with ASEAN

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has announced an initiative to promote cooperation with Southeast Asian countries, which includes capacity building projects for 5,000 people over the next three years.

Kishida delivered a speech at the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum in Indonesia on Wednesday.

Kishida said the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific shares fundamental principles, such as transparency and respect for international law, with a free and open Indo-Pacific, which Japan has been promoting.

He said the capacity building projects cover a wide range of areas, including transport infrastructure such as railroads and ports, digitalization, maritime cooperation, and supply chain resilience.

Kishida said Japan will grow together with ASEAN countries by promoting technical cooperation with them and strengthening networks.

He expressed hope to build a future in which "Japan and ASEAN can co-create new social values."

Kishida also mentioned a special summit with ASEAN that will be held in Tokyo in December. He said Japan hopes to launch with ASEAN members a new vision for the general direction of their relations and cooperation in the coming years.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230906_20/