Takaichi Vows to Enhance Security, Cyber Cooperation with ASEAN

Kuala Lumpur, Oct. 26 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi vowed Sunday to beef up cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the fields of security, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. At a meeting with leaders of ASEAN member states in Kuala Lumpur, Takaichi, who was inaugurated Tuesday, also stressed the importance of an international order based on the rule of law, apparently with in mind China, which is expanding coercive actions in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Next year will mark 10 years since the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe proposed the free and open Indo-Pacific initiative. Takaichi, who regards the initiative as her administration’s foreign policy pillar, emphasized the need to further strengthen Japan’s relations with ASEAN nations, located in a strategically important area between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Japan will expand support for ASEAN nations under its official security assistance program, which includes supplies of defense equipment and other items to like-minded nations, Takaichi said. She also vowed to step up cooperation in disaster response in addition to maritime security. The Japanese and ASEAN leaders also agreed to deepen cooperation over cross-border issues such as decarbonization. Takaichi called for expanding joint research on advanced technologies, such as AI, quantum computing and semiconductors, and proposed the establishment of an AI-related joint initiative that will address human resources development and other challenges. At the end of the Japan-ASEAN summit, the leaders adopted a joint statement calling for the promotion of the free and open Indo-Pacific initiative. The visit to Malaysia marked Takaichi’s first foreign trip since taking office. Earlier on Sunday, Takaichi visited a cemetery for Japanese who died in Malaysia and Tugu Negara, the Southeast Asian country’s national monument, and laid flowers at the sites. Takaichi also attended a summit of the Asia Zero Emission Community framework for promoting decarbonization. Participants confirmed progress in the implementation of an action plan agreed last year and adopted a joint statement. The AZEC initiative was proposed in 2022 by then Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. “My trip to Malaysia was very meaningful because I was able to confirm the strengthening of relations with ASEAN countries, which are the world’s growth center and the pivot of the free and open Indo-Pacific initiative,” Takaichi told reporters after ending the series of events. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]