At the 27th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Vientiane, the Lao PDR, Japan’s Prime Minister, ISHIBA Shigeru, emphasized the strong and enduring relationship between Japan and ASEAN, rooted in shared values and mutual cooperation. Japan committed to furthering this relationship through various initiatives, such as dispatching experts to the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre). Japan is also enhancing cyber security, including cooperation through the ASEAN-Japan Cyber Security Capacity Building Center (AJCCBC). The summit highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing emerging issues like Green and Digital Transformation, reinforcing economic security, and strengthening maritime security.

Japan reiterated its support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), aligning it with its own vision of a free and open international order. The summit participants discussed regional security issues, including maritime disputes in the East and South China Seas, North Korea’s nuclear activities, and others. Japan’s consistent support for these principles aims to maintain stability and peace in the region.

Prime Minister ISHIBA also expressed Japan’s commitment to supporting ASEAN’s efforts through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). This fund has been instrumental in enhancing disaster management and resilience across ASEAN, contributing to the setup of frameworks like the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme. The summit underscored the shared vision of building resilient communities and the continued partnership between ASEAN and Japan to navigate future challenges together.

The ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) and the establishment of the ASEAN-Japan Cyber Security Capacity Building Center (AJCCBC) are supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

Joint Vision Statement and Efforts: English / Japanese

The ASEAN-Japan Centre is supporting the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) in recruiting volunteers for the operation of the “ASEAN Pavilion” at EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

Currently, ASEC is looking for volunteers to help assist the operation of the “ASEAN Pavilion” at EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and to work together in showcasing the charms of ASEAN.

For details on the volunteer programme, including duties & responsibilities, requirements, benefit and application guidelines, please refer to ASEC’s “Terms of Reference ASEAN Volunteers Programme World Expo 2025 Osaka”.

The ASEAN Pavilion at the World Expo 2025 Osaka is supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

Application Due Date: 31 December 2024

The Lao PDR Prime Minister, Sonexay Siphandone presided over the 27th ASEAN-Japan Summit, attended by ASEAN leaders, Prime Minister of Japan, ISHIBA Shigeru, and the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as an observer. The summit reviewed ASEAN-Japan cooperation over the past years and set the future direction aimed at implementing the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) to ensure mutual benefits for the people of ASEAN, Japan, and beyond. Both sides expressed their appreciation for the ASEAN-Japan dialogue relations, which have flourished over the past 50 years, encompassing cooperation in political-security, economic, and socio-cultural areas. Additionally, the meeting praised the successful conclusion of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation held in 2023.

Looking ahead, the leaders agreed to continue implementing the Joint Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation: Trusted Partners, while commending Japan’s significant contribution to the ASEAN Community-building process through the ASEAN-Japan Integration Fund (JAIF). Both sides also pledged to strengthen cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, including economic collaboration, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cultural exchange, and sustainable development.

Japan remains one of ASEAN’s longest standing and most important dialogue partners. ASEAN and Japan established dialogue relations in 1973, elevated their partnership to a Strategic Partnership in 2011, and further enhanced it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023.

In an edition of the ASEAN Magazine, Special Issue No. 40: 20 Years After the Indian Ocean Tsunami (Part 2): The Path to Sustainable Resilience, an article titled “From Response to Resilience: ASEAN-Japan Cooperation in Disaster Management” was written by JMT Director Naoki Minamiguchi and JMT Programme Coordinator Zin Aung Swe.
The article outlines the collaboration between ASEAN and Japan to enhance disaster management and build resilient communities in the region. It highlights JAIF as a key instrument in supporting disaster preparedness and response efforts. Over the years, JAIF has funded numerous projects aimed at improving disaster risk reduction, emergency response, and the capacity of ASEAN’s disaster management agencies. The partnership is anchored in frameworks like the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme and aims to foster a unified response to disasters across ASEAN.
The article also emphasizes the tangible impacts of this collaboration, including the operationalization of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) and the implementation of various capacity-building initiatives. These efforts have significantly bolstered the region’s ability to handle disaster emergencies effectively. Additionally, the piece underscores Japan’s ongoing commitment, as evidenced by recent financial contributions and strategic plans, ensuring that ASEAN continues to strengthen its disaster resilience and leadership in the region.

The Seventh Meeting of the Ad Hoc Group Meeting to Develop the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan was convened on 23-24 September in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Director General of International Cooperation Department at Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and SOCA Leader of Lao PDR, Khamphou Phiasackha, and Under Secretary of International Relations Division (Culture) at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, Dr. Christina Yeo Ken Yin, Deputy Director General Phiasackha expressed his appreciation for the significant progress in developing the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan. He underscored the need for strong cross-pillar response and coordination to address urgent and complex issues and challenges facing the region such as climate change and emerging health threats. In her remarks, Undersecretary Yeo Ken Yin commended the comprehensive and rigorous review in finalising the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan to ensure that it reflects sectoral priorities and resonates with the needs of the ASCC.

The meeting made good progress towards finalising a total of 115 strategic measures that provide specific and targeted actions in addressing emerging trends and challenges that could affect ASEAN especially in promoting human and sustainable development in the region.

It also served as a platform to exchange views and perspective on the implementation of the strategic plan particularly on communication approaches, strategies for resource mobilisation, review, and implementation arrangements which serve as critical areas in ensuring its successful, effective and sustainable implementation.

Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Ekkaphab Phanthavong commended the steady progress of the Strategic Plan development especially in ensuring its participatory and inclusive process through the various stakeholder engagement initiatives.
He highlighted that the Strategic Plan marks only the start of ASCC’s journey beyond 2025, and its implementation will be critical especially in light of regional and global shifts and developments. He also expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for its unwavering support to the Ad Hoc Working Group to Develop the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan.

The meeting is supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) 3.0 as part of the activities to develop the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan.