UPDATE - Big responsibility on us to keep region peaceful, stable: ASEAN tells Japan

UPDATES WITH COMMENTS OF ASEAN CHAIR, MORE DETAILS, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Esra Tekin and Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ensuring a peaceful and stable Southeast Asia is a “big responsibility” on the regional nations and Japan, said Indonesian President Joko Widodo, current chair of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“We have a big responsibility to keep our region peaceful, stable, and prosperous,” Widodo said, addressing the ASEAN-Japan summit in Jakarta.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attended the 26th summit with the regional bloc.

The two sides upgraded their relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” as this year marks the 50th anniversary of substantial cooperative ties between Japan and the ASEAN, which began in 1973.

Widodo said ASEAN needs infrastructure investments with an annual cost of $184 billion.

“Japan… can become the main contributor in realizing a concrete cooperation which directly benefits the people,” said the Indonesian president, urging Tokyo to continue to increase its contributions to green infrastructure.

Earlier, Kishida said Japan under its new initiative will strengthen maritime safety with Southeast Asian nations.

Ahead of his summit with the leaders of the ASEAN, Kishida also unveiled Japan's plans to boost digitalization cooperation with the regional nations and train at least 5,000 people over the next three years.

“Our nation will grow with ASEAN members by promoting technical cooperation with them," Kishida said.

Jakarta has been hosting the 43rd summit of ASEAN leaders since Monday.

“Tokyo will also support efforts by each ASEAN member to digitalize infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity and strengthen supply chains for food and other products," Kishida added.