Japan reaffirms support for ASEAN centrality

4 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Japan has reaffirmed its support for ASEAN centrality and unity amid rising geopolitical tensions, saying the regional bloc’s role is becoming increasingly important in maintaining stability and promoting dialogue and cooperation in the region.

“Japan remains committed to fully supporting ASEAN centrality and unity, as well as ASEAN’s architecture,” Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Yonetani Koji said during an interview with ANTARA for its International Corner program in Jakarta on Thursday (July 30).

Yonetani said ASEAN’s role has become even more significant amid intensifying geopolitical tensions.

According to him, a regional architecture that places ASEAN at its center provides an important framework for countries across the wider region to engage in open and candid dialogue while pursuing practical cooperation.

He said such dialogue and cooperation are essential to fostering mutual understanding and strengthening strategic trust amid the changing global situation.

“Such dialogue and cooperation are very much needed at this juncture to try to develop mutual understanding and build strategic trust in the evolving world,” he said.

Yonetani added that Japan has played a more active role in regional cooperation while consistently maintaining its path as a peace-loving nation since the end of World War II.

Regarding defense cooperation, the Japanese diplomat emphasized that Japan has established guidelines based on three principles: heart-to-heart cooperation, tailored and enduring cooperation, and equal as well as open cooperation.

Japan, he added, has contributed to global peace and prosperity in various ways, including through overseas development assistance and participation in peacekeeping operations.

“In this region particularly, Japan has contributed to peacebuilding efforts in Cambodia and Timor-Leste. Therefore, Japan remains determined to continue to contribute to peace and stability of the world and, of course, of the region,” Yonetani said.