Kuala lumpur: Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Sunday urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to advance a "free and open Indo-Pacific" strategy. Concluding Japan's bilateral summit with ASEAN leaders at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, she emphasized the importance of updating the Indo-Pacific strategy to align with changing times, describing it as a "cornerstone" of Japanese diplomacy.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the initiative marks a decade since its launch by the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2016. Takaichi, who has been leading Japan since Tuesday, announced plans to expand Official Security Assistance (OSA) to more ASEAN countries. She highlighted intentions to deepen cooperation on disaster response and maritime security, while also building capacity among like-minded states in response to rising regional security concerns.
Takaichi also put forward a proposal for a "Japan-ASEAN Artificial Intelligence (AI) Partnership". This initiative aims to support training, governance frameworks, and the development of large language models, recognizing AI's potential to significantly impact the region's economy and society.
Meanwhile, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reiterated that ASEAN-Japan relations are built on mutual trust and shared values. He expressed ASEAN's anticipation for closer collaboration with Japan in areas such as innovation, clean energy, and sustainable, resilient growth.
The 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit forms part of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, which is taking place from October 26-28, with participation from approximately 30 regional and global leaders.