Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Chiba Akira. (Photo: VNA)

He said that Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu also commended Vietnam’s excellent ASEAN chairmanship.

At AMM 53, Japan reiterated its commitment to establishing a centre in ASEAN for health problems and emerging diseases, pledged 1 million USD for a new ASEAN COVID-19 response fund, and promised to set up loan and investment programs especially tailored for the bloc. 

He said the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIF) and Japan's own vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) have many traits in common, such as treasuring the rule of law and freedom of navigation and overflight.