[Title] Co-sponsored by Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) and JCCI (Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry) ASEAN Leaders Welcome Luncheon Greeting by Prime Minister Kishida

Mr. Masakazu Tokura, Chairman of Keidanren, Mr. Takashi Uyeno, Vice Chairman of the JCCI, and other members of the business community, thank you for inviting us to this luncheon today to welcome the ASEAN Leaders and celebrate the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

I had the honor to have very frank and meaningful discussions with ASEAN Leaders at the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation yesterday. It was a memorable day as we launched to the world a new vision of Japan and ASEAN for the future. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your cooperation.

Over the years, Keidanren and JCCI have worked to strengthen relationship with the business community of ASEAN countries. On the occasion of the Commemorative Summit, we have received valuable suggestions from the business community.

The Joint Vision Statement and its Implementation Plan issued yesterday take into account these valuable suggestions. Once again, I would like to thank all those present and the business community for the cooperation.

And as mentioned earlier by Chairman Tokura of Keidanren, this morning we held the very first AZEC Summit in Japan based on the Asia Zero Emissions platform. We have confirmed that we will pave the way for decarbonization, economic growth and stable energy supply.

Such cooperation between Japan and ASEAN, as partners in co-creating a peaceful and prosperous future based on trust, is essential in addressing compound and complex challenges such as climate change and AI governance that cannot be solved by a single country alone.

Furthermore, cooperation for peace and stability in the region is also important. As you are aware, North Korea launched a ballistic missile last night. This morning, North Korea also launched an ICBM-class ballistic missile. We strongly condemn these acts, which are clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, and threaten regional peace and stability.

I strongly feel that it is important to strengthen economic ties at all layers, including the creation of future industries such as GX and automobiles, the development of human resources that will serve as the foundation of these industries, and to support for the establishment of flagship projects, through cooperation between the public and private sectors by leveraging the strengths of ASEAN, with its rapid growth, and Japan, with its cutting-edge technology.

I would like to sincerely ask for continued efforts of all the participants here today to "co-create" a sustainable and prosperous future through cooperation between the public and private sectors of Japan and ASEAN. I would also like to thank all of you for your cooperation.