Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday vowed to strengthen Japan's cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific region in response to China's assertive territorial claims and military buildup.
The Japan-ASEAN summit, held virtually amid the COVID-19 pandemic, was the first occasion for Kishida to participate in an ASEAN gathering after replacing Yoshihide Suga as prime minister earlier this month.
Noting his past efforts to enhance Japan's ties with ASEAN during his tenure as foreign minister between 2012 and 2017, Kishida said he continues to value the relationship with the 10-member bloc.