ASEAN -JAPAN COOPERATION AND THE

NEW CONNECTIVITYINITIATIVEFOR FURTHER GROWTH

Leaders gathered at the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit on September 6. At this meeting, a joint statement to establish the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive
Strategic Partnership was adopted.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023
Full Text: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/101_kishida/statement/202309/06speech.html

In early September, Prime Minister Kishida visited the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of India toattend ASEAN-related summit meetings and the G20 New Delhi Summit. On September 6, he delivered aspeech at the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum held in Jakarta, Indonesia, and announced the “Japan-ASEAN
Comprehensive Connectivity Initiative.”
1. Introduction
Distinguished guests and participants. Selamat pagi.
I am very much honored to have a chance to visit toIndonesia and to speak to you at this ASEAN IndoPacific Forum as the Prime Minister of Japan, especiallyin this commemorative 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan
Friendship and Cooperation and the 65th anniversary of
the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japanand Indonesia.
Supported by the dramatic economic development ofIndonesia and other ASEAN countries, the Indo-PacificAt the Summit, Prime Minister Kishidastated that the following day (September 7)
would mark exactly 100 days to go until theCommemorative Summit in Tokyo in
December, and expressed his intention toaccelerate preparations for the meeting inclose cooperation with the ASEAN
counterparts.

Region is now a powerful driver of the global economy.
I think it is very timely that Indonesia has set the theme“Epicentrum of Growth” as this year’s ASEAN Chair.
I am proud that many cooperation projects from Japan
will be introduced at this forum.
2. New Plan for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” andASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)
The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)
shares fundamental principles such as openness,transparency, inclusiveness, and respect for internationallaw with a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” which
Japan has been promoting.
As a consistent supporter of ASEAN Centrality andunity, Japan was among the first countries to express its
full support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacificin 2019.
And today, I hereby announce the “Japan-ASEAN
Comprehensive Connectivity Initiative” and declarethat Japan will promote cooperation to strengthen
connectivity in six areas.
3. Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Connectivity Initiative
Overview
The six areas and concrete ideas are as follows.
The first is transportation infrastructure development.
Japan facilitates the flow of people and goods among
ASEAN countries by developing ports, roads, railroads,
and airports. The projects implemented by Japan have
expanded to worth 2.8 trillion yen. In addition tohard infrastructure cooperation, we are promoting
soft infrastructure cooperation through technicalcooperation, continuously providing Japanese technology
and knowledge.
The second area is “Digital Connectivity.” Japan
will cooperate with ASEAN countries in promoting
digitization and strengthening regional connectivity
utilizing digital technology, as well as contributing to thesecurity of cyberspace.
The third is “Maritime Cooperation.” This is an
important element in strengthening connectivity between
Japan and ASEAN countries, which are linked by the sea.
Japan will assist ASEAN countries in enhancing theirmaritime law enforcement capacity, through training
programs and grant of patrol vessels for the coast guard
agencies and maritime police.
The fourth area is “Supply Chain Resilience.” Facing
the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s aggression
against Ukraine, ensuring a stable distribution of goods
and food security have become important issues. Japanwill contribute to supply chain resilience in the ASEAN
region, and will build economies that can withstand acrisis together.
The fifth is “Electricity Connectivity.” The ASEAN
region is experiencing rapid economic development, anddemand for electric power is also growing. In order toensure a stable electric power supply, Japan will support
the improvement of electricity connectivity through theformulation of master plans and training programs.
Lastly, “Human and Knowledge Connectivity.” Thefoundation for the development of society is “people”
and their “knowledge.” We will foster human resourcesin ASEAN countries through conducting personnel
exchanges and training programs in a wide range of fields,
as well as strengthen the network of people in Japanand ASEAN countries.
In these areas, Japan will provide capacity building

projects for 5,000 individuals over the next three years. By
promoting technical cooperation with ASEAN countries
and strengthening our network, Japan will grow together
with ASEAN. We hope to build a future in which Japanand ASEAN can co-create new social values.
4. The Commemorative Summit
In concluding this 50th Year for ASEAN-Japan
Friendship and Cooperation, Japan will welcome theASEAN Leaders to Tokyo and host the Commemorative
Summit in Tokyo in December.
Together with the ASEAN Leaders, we would like tojointly launch a new vision for the general direction ofASEAN-Japan relations and cooperation in the comingyears.
We will launch a wide range of cooperation initiatives
in the political and security, economic, cultural and social
fields, and further promote attractive cultural, peopleto-people and intellectual exchanges and support forJapanese language education.
Through these initiatives, let us work together to passon long-standing ASEAN-Japan “Golden Friendship” tothe next generation and to make the new era our “GoldenOpportunity.”Thank you very much. Terima kasih.

As one of six areas of the Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Connectivity
Initiative, Japan is promoting the development of land, sea, and air transport
infrastructure, including railroads, ports, and airports. Various projects are
moving forward, including construction of the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit
System in Indonesia (left) and development of Sihanoukville Port inCambodia (right). AFP/AFLO (left); JICA (right)

The above text was republished from the website of the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan:
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/101_kishida/statement/202309/06speech.html