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ASEAN-Japan relations
ASEAN
and Japan established informal relations in 1973 and
formalised ties with the establishment of the ASEAN-Japan
Forum in 1977. In 1987, a new partnership towards peace
and prosperity was announced with policy goals emphasized
on economics, politics and culture. Japan’s commitment
to these policy goals were expressed by the launching of
the Miyazawa Initiative, the Hashimoto Initiative and the
Obuchi Plan. In 1997, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto
called for a "broader and deeper partnership"
between ASEAN and Japan, which focused more on human
resources development, culture, social development and
transnational issues.
In
recent years, ASEAN and Japan have moved closer not only
in the economic sphere of trade and investment but also in
an even broader arena, ranging from political and security
issues to cultural exchange and cooperation as well as
addressing global environmental challenges. These friendly
relations have been cultivated through key conferences
including ASEAN-Japan summits, the ASEAN Post-Ministerial
Conference, the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Economic
Ministers-Minister of Economics, Trade and Industry
Meeting, the ASEAN-Japan Forum and ASEAN+3 Meetings. The
ASEAN-Tokyo Committee also assists in conducting and
maintaining the dialogue with Japan.
Political
cooperation
Japan
is promoting a cooperative dialogue with ASEAN on
political and security issues through multilateral
discussions in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ASEAN
Post-Ministerial Conference and through various bilateral
frameworks with ASEAN countries.
Economic
cooperation
Japan
remains ASEAN’s most important trading partner and
source of investment. However, there is a trade imbalance
in Japan’s favour due to such reasons as ASEAN’s heavy
imports of materials, parts, components and accessories.
At the same time, ASEAN products encounter difficulties
entering the Japanese market. Another issue is the decline
in Japanese foreign direct investment in ASEAN.
The relative share of Japanese investment in ASEAN
increased to 33.6 percent in 1997 but declined to 14.6
percent in 1999. In 2000, Japan dropped out of the top 10
investors in ASEAN.
To
advance information technology and bridge the digital
divide in the region, Japan has pledged to implement a
“comprehensive cooperation package” of US$15 billion
over a period of five years in which ASEAN would assume
priority.
A
unique feature of ASEAN-Japan cooperation is the ASEAN
Promotion Centre on Trade, Investment and Tourism in
Tokyo. Set up in 1981, it is jointly funded by
contributions from Japan and ASEAN member countries. The
centre has been actively promoting ASEAN trade to Japan as
well as promoting Japanese investment and tourism to ASEAN.
Development
Cooperation
Japan
is a major contributor to development cooperation
activities in ASEAN. Japan has contributed substantially
to the ASEAN Cultural Fund, provided technical assistance
to ASEAN through programmes such as the Japan-ASEAN
Cooperation Promotion Programme, the Japan-ASEAN General
Exchange Fund and the Japan-ASEAN Exchange Programme as
well as provided funds for ASEAN youth development
activities in the form of the Japan Scholarship Fund and
ASEAN-Japan Friendship Programme for the 21st century
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