ASEAN presses unimpeded SCS travel

Visiting leaders from Southeast Asia and those of host Japan on Sunday agreed to improve communication and collaboration in maritime security in response to China's increasing aggression in the area.

In a joint statement, Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed to "strengthen dialogue and cooperation for the maintenance of maritime security and safety, maritime order based on the rule of law, including freedom and safety of navigation and overflight and unimpeded commerce."

Without naming China, the agreement mentioned that the countries would "enhance maritime domain awareness as well as cooperation among coastguards and relevant law enforcement agencies, strengthen cooperation on maritime capacity building, and ensure the resolution of disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to threat or use of force in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law."

"We reaffirm our commitment to uphold international law, including the UN Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," the Joint Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation read.

These, according to the joint statement, are in line with internationally accepted legal concepts, such as UNCLOS, which establishes the rules and regulations for defining rights and responsibilities in seas and oceans.

At a news conference following the meeting, Japanese Prime Minister Fukio Kishida said, "As the world faces a complex set of crises due to deepening division and confrontation, Japan will face that situation together with ASEAN, which plays a key role in a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

Japan's aid to the developing nations was a significant factor in the relationship between Japan and ASEAN, partly because of resentment over Japan's actions during the war.