The Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation

17 December 2023 -

On 17 December, the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation was held at Hotel Okura Tokyo. Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan attended the Summit. Prime Minister Kishida and President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, this year’s ASEAN Chair, co-chaired the Commemorative Summit. The Joint Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and its Implementation Plan has been adopted as the outcome documents of the Commemorative Summit.

The Summit was divided into two sessions. Session 1 had the Opening, Agenda 1: Review of ASEAN-Japan Relations and Agenda2: Partners for Peace and Stability & Regional and International Issues. Session 2 had the Agenda 3: Heart-to-Heart Partnership Across Generations (Working Lunch), Agenda 4: Partners in Co-creation of Economy and Society of the Future, Adoption of Outcome Documents, Other Issues and Closing.

On Agenda 3, Prime Minister Kishida referred to programs such as the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS), a youth exchange program, NIHONGO (Japanese language) Partners, the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP), etc. He emphasized the alumni of these various youth exchange programs who matured friendship and camaraderie are now active in various fields around the world, serving as bridges between ASEAN and Japan.

On Agenda 4, ASEAN Member States expressed their appreciation for Japan’s contributions over the years to ASEAN’s economic and social development and enhanced connectivity. In response, Prime Minister Kishida stated that he could reaffirm that ASEAN and Japan share understandings in many respects. He also mentioned the continued support for the early launch of ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED), and the establishment of a Rapid Financing Facility that can be activated flexibly in the event of natural disasters.

The JENESYS program and Detailed Design and Preparation Support for the “ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases” (ACPHEED) are supported by the Government of Japan through Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

Read full version of Overview of Sessions here.

Read the JAIF Fact Sheet on the Outcomes of the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation / the Commemorative Summit (p.9-10).