35th ASEAN - Japan forum heightens ASEAN - Japan cooperation

Japan praised ASEAN for its early response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Japan promised to continue its commitment to support ASEAN with an initiative to establish a Regional Center for Disease Response and Emergency Public Health Situations.

The countries favorably noted the progress in implementing the Declaration of the Vision on ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation, with 95% of activities having been implemented.

On regional and international issues, Japan supports ASEAN's centrality, solidarity, and cohesion in fostering open, transparent, and rules-based regional structures. ASEAN also welcomed Japan's support of the ASEAN Perspective Document on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) region, which highlights the importance of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in maintaining peace, stability, and security in the area.