Key facts
- Former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida believes Japan should support ASEAN's efforts to reintegrate Myanmar.
- Kishida stated that Myanmar's return to ASEAN meetings is important for the bloc's unity.
- Kishida spoke with Nikkei Asia in Bangkok on October 12.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated on October 12 that Japan should consider how it can support ASEAN's efforts to bring Myanmar back into the bloc's meetings. Speaking to Nikkei Asia in Bangkok, Kishida emphasized that the return of the civil war-torn nation would be important for the group's unity.
In a separate meeting on May 3, 2016, then-Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met with Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counselor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar. Kishida congratulated Myanmar on its new democratic government and expressed Japan's intention to cooperate through public and private sector efforts. Aung San Suu Kyi welcomed Kishida's visit as a long-time friend and appreciated Japan's support.
More recently, on September 6, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida attended the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Jakarta, where a joint statement to establish the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was adopted. During the summit, Prime Minister Kishida introduced the "Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Connectivity Initiative."