Manila: Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at a meeting with his counterparts from ASEAN countries in Manila on Wednesday. Motegi emphasized the strategic importance of ASEAN in Japan's efforts to realize its Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision, initially proposed by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approximately a decade ago.

According to Philippines News Agency, current Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has committed to advancing the FOIP vision, with Japan aiming to intensify its collaboration with ASEAN nations to achieve mutual strength and prosperity. Motegi reiterated Japan's strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion, a statement seemingly directed at China's actions in the region.

Motegi also addressed the ongoing discussions surrounding the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, which ASEAN intends to establish with China. He expressed a firm hope that the code would align with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Additionally, Motegi sought ASEAN's cooperation in addressing the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals, as well as its nuclear and missile programs.

In a separate meeting later in the day, Motegi engaged with representatives from the five Mekong River countries, including Vietnam. The ministers agreed to continue enhancing the Mekong countries' investigative capabilities and to promote cooperation with Japan to combat special fraud and other cross-border crimes.

Concerning Myanmar, where a civil war persists, the ministers underscored the importance of halting violence and initiating dialogue among the concerned parties.