ASEAN-Japan commemorative summit begins, Najib to deliver speech

The one-day summit kicks off with a speech by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Geihinkan State Guest House, Akasaka Palace to be followed by a group photo by the leaders, gathering here to mark the 40th anniversary of the Asean-Japan Dialogue relations.

Later, Najib who has been here since Thursday, will attend a luncheon hosted by Keidanren (Federation of Economic Organisations of Japan) and JCCI (Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry).

A joint press conference is also to be held by Abe and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam at the end of the summit.

The leaders of the 10 Asean nations and Japan are expected to re-emphasise their close and long-standing relations besides signing three documents that outline programmes and activities to further strengthen their relations at the summit.

These documents are the Vision Statement of Asean-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, its Implementation Plan, and the Joint Statement of the Asean-Japan Summit.

Asean and Japan's cooperative partnership began in 1973 with the establishment of the Asean-Japan Forum on Synthetic Rubber.

Since then, Asean and Japan have forged close cooperation towards peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region with emphasis on economic cooperation.

Formed in 1967, Asean or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations groups Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Najib is also scheduled to hold a press conference for the Malaysian media on his visit at the New Otani Hotel here.