Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called for deeper ASEAN-Japan cooperation, emphasising that the partnership's vast potential is anchored in trust, shared values, and decades of friendship. Delivering his opening remarks at the 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit, Anwar said ASEAN looks forward to working closely with Japan to advance their shared vision of innovation, clean energy, and resilient growth.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar expressed his honor in welcoming Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to her first ASEAN-Japan Summit. He extended warm congratulations to Takaichi on her assumption of office and expressed hope that her leadership would bring new energy to the long-standing friendship between ASEAN and Japan. Anwar highlighted the importance of charting a renewed and forward-looking direction for ASEAN-Japan cooperation.

Meanwhile, Takaichi, who is the president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Japan's first female leader, addressed the summit by emphasizing Japan's commitment to leveraging its Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) policy to strengthen ties with ASEAN. She noted that Japan and ASEAN have developed a trust-based partnership founded on a "heart-to-heart connection" through extensive cooperation across various sectors.

Takaichi also highlighted Japan's support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which aligns with FOIP's fundamental principles and values. She expressed gratification in adopting a joint statement with ASEAN leaders that confirms the commitment to promoting further cooperation between Japan and ASEAN.

Marking the 10th anniversary since the late Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe launched FOIP in 2016, Takaichi stated that Japan aims to reposition FOIP as a core pillar of Japanese diplomacy, evolving it to align with contemporary changes.