JAPAN pledged Monday to foster collaboration with Southeast Asian nations to promote economic prosperity, financial stability and sustainable development among ASEAN-plus-three economies.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi attended summit talks under the extended ASEAN framework in Kuala Lumpur on behalf of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also taking part.

Takaichi left the Malaysian capital late Sunday to return home for US President Donald Trump’s Japan visit.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states and the three countries recognize the pivotal role of their “collective efforts for regional economic and financial cooperation as well as the promotion of inclusive and sustainable development amid this uncertain environment”, their leaders’ statement said. They also declared to foster collaboration that promotes economic prosperity, financial stability and sustainable development, saying, “This cooperation should be based on mutual respect, trust and benefit.” The Japanese foreign minister stressed the need for cooperation within the ASEAN-plus-three framework in the areas of finance and food security while touching on other issues such as disaster prevention, the aging society and organized crime.

Kyodo

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