The summit between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations closed here Friday with leaders signing a "special relationship" declaration.
The declaration, signed by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and ASEAN leaders, features the creation of the proposed East Asian Community and calls for the now 30-year economic ties to be expanded to embrace political and security issues.
They also inked a joint action plan that calls for cooperation on ASEAN integration, human resource development, antiterror and counterpiracy measures.