KUALA LUMPUR: Japan has thrown its full support for the Asean community building initiative and called for more cooperation in the economic sector.

Its Foreign Affairs State Minister Minoru Kiuchi said an integrated, stable and prosperous Asean is extremely important for the stability and prosperity of the region as a whole.

In a statement released to the New Straits Times today, Minoru further explained that of the two trillion yen of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) over a five-year period announced at the Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit 2013, more than 850 billion yen has been implemented.

Minoru, who attended the Japan-Asean Ministerial Meeting held in conjunction with the 48th Asean Ministerial Meeting today, said the cooperation between Japan and the bloc is progressing steadily.

It was also said that Japan would strongly support the Asean community building and integration efforts beyond this year through a provision of over USD110 billion for quality infrastructure development in Asia over the next five-years.

Minoru has also expressed the view that Japan intends to proactively contribute to the peace and stability of the region by cooperating with Asean member states.

He explained the country’s approach of “proactive contribution to peace” was based on the principle of international cooperation, including the legislation for peace and security.

Japan, he also added, would continue to cooperate on maritime security and navigation safety, including support for capacity building of coast guards of Asean countries and provision of patrol vessels and equipment.

Minoru said the country would also cooperate on promoting moderation and measures to counter radicalism and Japan hopes to promote cooperation in disaster management which includes strengthening the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre).

– http://www.nst.com.my/