Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Friday told the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that Japan will provide ¥2 trillion worth of aid for development projects to strengthen regional integration, officials said.
At an hour-long summit with leaders of the 10-member ASEAN grouping on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, Noda also expressed his commitment to boosting cooperation with the region over maritime security and safety amid China's increasing assertiveness at sea.
In a joint declaration issued afterward, Japan and ASEAN mapped out five strategies to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region that include deepening political and security ties, cooperation in ASEAN community-building and improving links between ASEAN and Japan.