Japan vows to enhance economic relations with ASEAN

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday vowed to enhance economic relations and boost investment with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), local media reported.

Speaking at a dinner hosted in honor of ASEAN leaders, Kishida announced the launch of a new initiative for the next generation auto industry, according to Tokyo-based Kyodo News.

ASEAN leaders arrived in Tokyo to participate in the three-day Japan-ASEAN special summit to commemorate the 50th anniversary of friendship and cooperation between Japan and the 10-member bloc.

The summit started on Saturday where Kishida is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with visiting leaders as well.

"By joining hands to develop their economies, the "free and open global order based on the rule of law will be more consolidated," the news agency quoted Kishida as saying.

He called on the bloc to "create peace and prosperity together in the Indo-Pacific region."

Kishida is co-hosting the special summit with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is also in Tokyo.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid