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

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor to welcome you here this evening ahead of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation tomorrow… Today, building on this foundation, I would like to propose three concrete measures to take ASEAN-Japan relations to new heights for the next 50 years.

1. Heart-to-Heart Partners across Generations
First of all, the core of Japan-ASEAN relations is, above all, mutual trust. What underpins this trust is our precious history of consistently walking together, even in times of hardship. We would like to pass on to the next generation this "heart to heart" relationship.
To this end, we are launching a new comprehensive exchange program called the "Partnership to Co-create a Future with the Next Generation," which will benefit more than 10 million people over the next 10 years. In addition, we will further promote interactive exchanges such as those among young business leaders.

2. Partners for Co-creation of Economy and Society of the Future
Then, based on our strong relationship of trust, it is our hope that Japan and ASEAN will bring together their strengths and find solutions in an era of compound crises that are difficult for any one country to solve. We also hope to create strong economies that generate further vitality through mutually channeling each other's vitality, and to grow together as partners to co-create a society and economy in which people from all walks of life can achieve and enjoy the middle-class dreams to which most of us aspire.
To this end, we will work on public-private partnerships, focusing on strengthening connectivity, addressing climate change including through the realization of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises as well as start-ups. We will further encourage private investment through utilizing new ODA tools, such as the Co-Creation for Common Agenda Initiative.
We will also launch the ASEAN-Japan Co-Creation Initiative for the Next Generation Automotive Industry, in which we will work together to develop and implement strategies to ensure that ASEAN remains the world's leading hub for automotive production and export.

3. Partners for Peace and Stability
Last but not least, what Japan and ASEAN have always pursued is "peace and prosperity." As we co-create and build upon stronger and more vibrant economies and societies, we will be better able to secure a free and open international order based on the rule of law. Let us together create peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region where human dignity is protected.
To this end, we will promote our efforts aimed at nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation based on the "Hiroshima Action Plan," judicial cooperation including legal technical assistance, Women, Peace and Security (WPS), cyber security, defense exchange and cooperation, and Official Security Assistance (OSA). Ladies and gentlemen, it is with these thoughts and true determination that I will approach tomorrow's meeting. As friends gathered here, let us present to the world a vision for the future that will last for generations to come.
Well, I think I have spoken enough! I hope you will enjoy the delicious dinner and make the most of each other's company. I would like to propose a toast to your health and happiness and to the further development of Japan-ASEAN friendship in the future. Cheers!

The Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation has come to a successful conclusion. First of all, I would like to thank the Co-Chair of the Summit, President Joko Widodo, as well as the leaders and delegation members of each country.

We had productive discussions worthy of this historic milestone, and adopted a Joint Vision Statement and an Implementation Plan as outcome documents.

The Joint Vision Statement sets out the future direction of ASEAN-Japan relations and a new vision for cooperation. As the subtitle "Trusted Partners" suggests, it is the trust built over half a century that forms the foundation of our relationship.

Our vision is for a world where all countries can pursue peace and prosperity, uphold the principles of democracy, the rule of law, good governance, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. (Omission)

This 50th Year Commemorative Summit was an excellent opportunity for Japan and ASEAN to reflect on the progress we have made, to examine one another's present situation, and to discuss our common future. Today, at the culmination of these efforts, I am truly pleased that together we have taken a new step forward into the next 50 years, powerfully demonstrating to the world a vision for future cooperation. It is my sincere hope that we can pass on this bond of trust to the next generation.