SHAPING ASIA’S FUTURE
THROUGH CO -CREATION
AN EXCERPT

MAY 25, 2023
Full Text: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/101_kishida/statement/202305/25speech.html

On May 25, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida delivered a speech at the Nikkei Forum 28th Future of Asia
dinner held in Tokyo, reviewing the outcomes of the G7 Hiroshima Summit, which concluded four days
earlier, and declaring that Japan will work hand in hand with Asia to co-create the future together based onequal partnerships.
1. Introduction: Outcome of the G7 Hiroshima Summit
I chaired the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, and it wassuccessfully concluded last Sunday.
I feel that this summit was a historic one, as we squarelyaddressed various difficult challenges the world is facing ata turning point in history.
If I dare tell you the historical significance of the G7
Hiroshima Summit, it can be summarized in the following
three points.
The first is to uphold and reinforce the free andopen international order based on the rule of law. We
reaffirmed the importance of the universal principles
which are the foundation of the international community,
and sent out a strong message to the world as the “will ofthe G7.” We were also able to further strengthen the unityand coordination of the G7 with regard for our efforts of“support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia,” “freePrime Minister Kishida delivering aspeech at the Nikkei Forum 28th
Future of Asia dinner. He emphasized
Japan’s unique approach that
promotes cooperation while
accepting diverse values and cultures.

and open Indo-Pacific,” and “economic security.”
Second, the G7 strengthened their outreach tointernational partners including countries referred to asthe Global South. We invited leaders from eight countries
including Indonesia, Viet Nam, India and the Republic ofKorea and the heads of seven international organizations,and successfully strengthened coordination andcooperation with the G7 on global challenges such as
food, energy and climate change. This was also one of theimportant achievements.
Then, we invited Ukraine’s President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy and held an outreach session with the leaders of
the invited countries. As the chairperson, I put together
our shared view on the following four points:(i) First, all countries should adhere to the principles ofthe United Nations (UN) Charter, including respect forsovereignty and territorial integrity;(ii) Second, confrontation should be resolved peacefully
through dialogue, and we support a just and lasting peacethat is based on respect for international law and theprinciples of the UN Charter;(iii) Third, any unilateral attempt to change the status
quo by force is unacceptable anywhere in the world;(iv) Last, we strive to uphold the free and open
international order based on the rule of law.
Third, in Hiroshima, a place symbolizing peace, wewere able to send a strong message that nuclear threat, letalone the use of nuclear weapons is unacceptable.
We successfully compiled the “G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima
Vision on Nuclear Disarmament,” the first ever G7
stand-alone document of its kind. We will continue andstrengthen our realistic and pragmatic efforts throughthe implementation of the “Hiroshima Action Plan.” Wewere also able to fulfill our major objective in holding theG7 Summit in Hiroshima which is to have the leaders of
the world deepen their understandings of the reality ofthe nuclear weapons use and send a strong message to theworld.
I believe that all the participating leaders and headsof international organizations who visited the Peace
Memorial Park fully received the message that the city ofHiroshima embodies.
We will connect the outcomes of the Hiroshima Summit
to meetings such as the ASEAN-related Summit to be held
in Indonesia and the G20 Summit to be held in India.
And in December this year, we will hold acommemorative summit in Tokyo to mark the 50th Yearof the ASEAN-Japan relations. With the enthusiasm ofthe success of Hiroshima Summit intact, we hope to move
forward together, hand in hand, toward a better future for
our Asia.
2. Promoting a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”
Here, I would like to mention a “Free and Open IndoPacific (FOIP),” for which Japan advocated.
FOIP is a guiding concept to lead the international
community toward “cooperation” because it could headtoward division and confrontation if left unchecked.
It is important that we all share and practice the ideaof not unilaterally imposing values and not excluding
certain countries. For the sake of a free, fair, and equitableeconomic order that does not create division, we cannot
accept that a country is intimidated by other countries
or is forced to fall into the so-called “debt trap” throughopaque and unfair development finance.
Japan will defend a free and open international order
based on the rule of law for the inclusive and sustainablegrowth of Asia.
In March this year, I announced a “New Plan for
a FOIP.” The “Indo-Pacific Way” approach, which I
mentioned at that time, is an important concept foradvancing FOIP cooperation.
The Indo-Pacific approach is to accept diverse values,cultures, and histories; to respect and be close to others; topromote cooperation through dialogues; and to deal withvarious challenges in a realistic and practical manner.
Japan’s ASEAN diplomacy has been built on “heart toheart” relationships and cooperation as “equal partners.”

This is the very practice of the “Indo-Pacific approach.”
The effectiveness and significance of this approachhas been proven when looking at today’s ASEAN-Japan
relations, which are firmly bound by mutual “trust” and“respect.”It is because of this conviction that, since assuming
office as Prime Minister, I have held close discussions withleaders of various countries around the world, particularly
in Asia, to listen to their various views and to foster
mutual trust.
I believe that the results of such visits could be fully
utilized in the discussions at this G7 Summit. We wereable to confirm that the G7 will take actions united on
many issues facing the Global South.
Through this Indo-Pacific approach, Japan willcontribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in Asia in its
own way.
3. Shaping Asia’s future together through “co-creation”
Next, I would like to address what specific actions weshould take to shape “the future of Asia.”
I believe that the keywords are the realization of “multilayered connectivity” based on equal partnerships, the“co-creation” of Asia’s future together, with Japan andAsia, the government and the private sector, working
hand in hand through these “ties.”
Japan has built inseparable relations with Asian
countries through “ties” and people-to-people exchanges
in a wide range of fields. These relations continue toexpand and deepen.
A think-tank recently conducted a survey and foundthat “Japan is the most trusted country in the politicaland business circles of ASEAN countries.” The “trust” wehave built throughout our history is the foundation of theASEAN-Japan relation.
Building on this foundation, we will further deepenties and “people-to-people exchanges” in a wide range offields, including economy, sports, culture, and the arts, that
support a strong relationship between Japan and Asia.
I will also focus on creating “new” ties for the future.
Fast-growing Asia is becoming one of the world’slargest consumer markets. At the same time, it faces manysocial challenges, such as disparity between the rich andthe poor, traffic congestion, and vulnerability of financial,information and energy infrastructures.
The attractiveness as a consumer market and the strong

enthusiasm for solving social issues are transforming thisregion into a major innovation hub.
I am confident that Japan and Asia can build a new
relationship in this area of “innovation.”
For example, a digital currency that can be usedwithout fees or a bank account. It was a Japanese startup
that established the system called “Bakong” used inCambodia.
This Bakong is also used for cross-border transactions
with neighboring countries like Thailand and Malaysia,
making people’s lives more convenient and affluent, andopening up new horizons for innovation.
Recently, Japan took the lead in organizing a pitch
event in Singapore to connect large Singaporean andJapanese companies with startups in Asia. It was very wellreceived.
I believe that we can create a “second and third Bakong”
by creating a chain of innovation that transcends nationalborders.
I believe that the fresh ideas and pioneering spirit that
only a startup can bring to the table will be the driving
force to usher in a new era in a variety of fields, including
energy, climate change, disasters, and health care.
The stage spans a vast area, from South Asia andASEAN to the islands of the Pacific. The Indo-Pacific istruly the “new frontier” of innovation.
Japan will strongly support startups that try this newfrontier, in cooperation with the United States, Australia,
NZ, and other countries that share the FOIP concept.
I will also further promote the “Asia DX” initiative,
in which ASEAN companies and Japanese companies
cooperate to co-create innovations to solve social issues inAsia.
A commemorative photo of leaders of the G7 and the invited countries aswell as heads of international organizations at the G7 Hiroshima Summit. As
the Summit was held in Japan—the only G7 member in Asia—for the firsttime in seven years, the Indo-Pacific was discussed thoroughly.

Recently, there have been increasing opportunities forJapan to bring back the outcomes achieved in Asia, and forJapan to solve social issues with the support of ASEAN.
Asia faces a variety of social challenges. I feel that theregion has unlimited potential if these challenges can beconverted into an engine for growth.
Transforming social issues into the engine of growthis the very concept of the “new capitalism” I am putting
forward. Under this concept, I will “co-create” the futureof Asia by enhancing “multi-layered connectivity” while
placing importance on a “people-focused” approach.
Through such initiatives in a wide range of fields toward
the “co-creation of Asia’s future,” I would like to elevate
our cooperation with Asian countries, and together withyou all, strengthen the foundation for further prosperityof a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
4. Importance of rule-making to support “co-creation”
Free and fair economic rules are essential for vibranteconomic activity. Such rules have been upheld by thenetwork of Free Trade Agreements including CPTPP
and RCEP Agreement, which ASEAN has actively been
engaged in both within and beyond the region.
IPEF is a new economic framework that was launcheda year ago. As a member of Asia, Japan hopes to act as abridge between Asia and the United States, and to achievea meaningful outcome.
In the digital area, Japan will establish a Digital
Innovation Center at Economic Research Institutefor ASEAN and East Asia, ERIA and work on theadvancement of reliable data linkage and supply chain in
the Asian region, in order to operationalize the “DFFT”
proposed by Japan and confirmed at the recent G7
Hiroshima Summit.
One of the initiatives Japan is working on in the “GreenSector” is the Asia Zero Emission Community initiative.
At the Hiroshima Summit, we shared the concept of“One Goal, Various Pathways,” which aims to holisticallyaddress energy security, climate crisis and geopoliticalrisks, and to achieve our common goal of net-zeroemissions through various pathways taking into accountnational circumstances.
Japan will build on its accumulated decarbonization
technologies and experiences in hydrogen and ammonia,
and promote concrete projects to implement this initiativeand support the energy transitions of partner countries in

the region.
At the Hiroshima Summit, “Economic Security” wasdiscussed for the first time in an independent session.
We compiled a statement in this area and agreed on theprinciples on resilient and reliable supply chains. Honoring
international law, being free and fair, fostering mutually
beneficial economic and trade relations, and standing
firmly against weaponizing economic dependencies are
the principles based on which Japan will spread to theworld and Japan will work with its international partner
economies to strengthen global economic resilience.
Japan will play a central role in this effort.
We also confirmed that the G7 will unite to work
on “infrastructure development” in the Global Southcountries. While attracting private-sector funding, we will
work to develop smart industrial complex, transportation
networks such as rail and road that enhance region’sconnectivity, as well as infrastructure for the energy
transitions.
5. Deeper cooperation with partners
These efforts can only flourish on the basis of strong
country-to-country relations.
I would like to specifically address our cooperation
with Southeast Asia, South Asia, Pacific Island countries—which we have identified as “key areas for cooperation”
in the new FOIP Plan—and the Republic of Korea, an
important neighbor of Japan.
First, deepening cooperation with Southeast Asia.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of ASEANJapan relations. Over the past half a century, Japan has
consistently supported the “centrality” and “unity” ofASEAN. Japan has also strengthened cooperation inpromoting the AOIP, which shares many fundamental
principles with the FOIP.
Japan will also continue to support attractive culturaland people-to-people exchanges such as “WA Project”
and JENESYS. Japan will also invite young entrepreneurs
and others from ASEAN to Japan for the “ASEAN-Japan
Young Business Leaders Summit” to create new “ties” forthe next generation.
On the occasion of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative
Summit in December this year, we will set forth a newvision for cooperation that envisions the “next 50 years”
of ASEAN and Japan and take ASEAN-Japan relations tothe next stage.

On the occasion of the G7 Hiroshima
Summit, Prime Minister Chinh (sixthfrom the right) of Viet Nam visited andobserved the world’s first hydrogentransport ship, which was manufactured
by Japan. Japan will accelerate its
investment toward realizing large-scalehydrogen supply chains across the AsiaPacific region. KAWASAKI HEAVY INDUSTRIESSecond is to strengthen cooperation with SouthAsia. The Bay of Bengal and Northeast India Industrial
Value Chain Initiative set forth as part of Japan’s newplan for a FOIP, aims not only to support hard and softconnectivity but also to promote private investment, andto foster business and industrial development throughout
the region by working with Bangladesh and India. Japan
will promote a variety of concrete projects that will also
benefit Japanese industry.
Sri Lanka, which celebrated the 70th anniversary of its
diplomatic relations with Japan last year, is also a hub in
the Indian Ocean. Japan has been leading the discussions
among the creditor countries in addressing Sri Lanka’s
debt issues. We will continue to contribute to debt
restructuring efforts and help Sri Lanka get back on track
for growth as soon as possible.
Third, I would like to further deepen our cooperation
with Pacific Island countries.
I have had a series of meetings with Prime Minister
Brown of the Cook Islands, as well as leaders from Palau,Fiji, Tuvalu, and other countries. I am also placing theutmost importance on working together with PacificIsland counties to overcome their risks and vulnerabilities
such as sea level rise due to climate change, and hurricanes.
It is of our interest to see the stable development of thisregion. Japan will further strengthen efforts in preparation
for the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting to be hosted by
Japan next year.
Last but not least, I want to address cooperation
with the Republic of Korea. I have resumed “shuttlediplomacy” with President Yoon for the first time in 12years, and we have had three summits in the past twomonths, including the G7 Hiroshima Summit. I would
like to continue to promote concrete cooperation throughclose communication between our two countries.
6. Conclusion
Japan will continue to respect the diversity of Asia, andas a good partner, we will work together with you all toshape the future of this region.
Thank you very much.

The above text was republished from the website of the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan:
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/101_kishida/statement/202305/25speech.html