June 7, 2023
TOKYO – Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Kao Kim Hourn, secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations, have confirmed their close cooperation in preparation for a commemorative summit in Tokyo in December to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan ties.
Hayashi and Kao met at the Foreign Ministry building in Tokyo on Monday.
Regarding an ASEAN-related foreign ministers’ meeting in Indonesia scheduled for July, Hayashi said, “[We’d like to] issue a strong message on imminent international issues.”
Hayashi and Kao also agreed to cooperate in an ASEAN-proposed regional cooperation initiative dubbed the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.