Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse bid farewell to Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and his spouse (Photo: Thong Nhat/ VNA).

Mr. Suga spoke to reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday, at the end of his first overseas trip since taking office last month.

He said Japan and ASEAN should help each other and strengthen mutual bonds because they share the goal of promoting the rule of law, openness, and transparency in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr. Suga said Japan supports ASEAN’s “Outlook on the Indo-Pacific", a statement released by the group last year. He said the statement and Japan's initiative of a free and open Indo-Pacific share many essential aspects.