The opinion-editorial article is written by the Japan Prime Minister, TAKAICHI Sanae.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations on Malaysia's hosting of the Asean Summit and Related Meetings. It is my great pleasure to visit Malaysia as my first overseas destination since assuming the office of prime minister and to participate in this prestigious event.

This year marks several historic milestones, including the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN Community, the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the East Asia Summit.

As the heart of the Indo-Pacific region and a global centre of growth, ASEAN is becoming increasingly important. I commend Malaysia for promoting regional prosperity through vibrant trade and investment and for its exceptional leadership as the ASEAN chair this year.

Building on these friendly ties, I will also do my utmost to ensure that Japan and ASEAN become stronger and more prosperous together.

Japan and ASEAN have been building a relationship as trusted partners with heart-to-heart ties for over half a century. The Joint Vision Statement on the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, which was adopted in December 2023, outlined the three pillars of our partnership: Peace and Stability, Co-creation of the Economy and Society of the Future and Heart-to-Heart Partners across Generations.

Furthermore, to respond to increasingly severe disasters and provide humanitarian assistance, Japan will continue supporting the activities and human resource development of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre) on Disaster Management.

Japanese experts are also actively contributing to the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) and capacity-building support.

Finally, I would like to express my renewed gratitude to Malaysia, the other ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat for their participation and cooperation in Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, which was successfully concluded recently.

Support for the disaster management and humanitarian assistance through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre), Feasibility Study on the Establishment of “ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases” and Utilization of Expo 2025 Osaka to Enhance ASEAN Awareness as a Single Tourist Destination are supported by the government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).