ASEAN-Japan partnership has strengthened and continued to grow more strategic and mutually beneficial. Much of ASEAN’s early industrial development was achieved through successful cooperation, therefore significantly contributing to ASEAN’s manufacturing capacity.

In a titah delivered during the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit at the Jakarta Convention Centre, Indonesia, yesterday, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam also stated that these activities – together with Japan’s efforts to support and promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges – have built a strong foundation of mutual trust and confidence.

As ASEAN and Japan celebrate the 50th Year of Friendship and Cooperation, His Majesty expressed pleasure at the establishment of ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This will provide opportunities to advance ASEAN-Japan’s “Golden Friendship” towards overall peace and prosperity in the region and benefitting the peoples’ continued well-being.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Japan KISHIDA Fumio in a statement highlighted Japan’s commitment to initiatives that will strengthen cooperation between ASEAN and Japan, such as the Japan-ASEAN Connectivity Initiative and Japan’s contribution of USD100 million to the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) 3.0.