Japan seek to enhance ties with ASEAN countries

Japan seek to enhance ties with ASEAN countries

Agence France-Presse, Tokyo

The Japanese government has decided to propose measures to
tighten economic cooperation between Japan and the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a news report said Monday.

"Specifically, the proposed economic initiatives will be aimed
at establishing closer cooperation in the fields of
liberalization of investment, the development of information
technology and the protection of intellectual property," the
Nihon Keizai Shimbun said, citing government sources.

"They will also lead to the eventual signing of a free trade
agreement," it said.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will propose the measures to
his counterparts during his tour of five ASEAN countries, which
is set to start Wednesday, the financial daily said.

He will outline the proposal in a speech to be delivered in
Singapore on Jan. 14.

"Plans call for organizing experts' discussions from later
this month and deciding the scope of the economic cooperation and
the timetable for negotiations between Japan and the ASEAN by
this autumn, with the final agreement to be concluded in five to
10 years," the Nihon Keizai said.

In September, Japan and the ASEAN agreed to step up efforts to
form economic cooperation.

"The ASEAN subsequently strengthened ties with Beijing, by
beginning negotiations on a free trade agreement with that
country ahead of Japan," the newspaper said.

"Japan, therefore, wants to overcome China's growing
diplomatic influence by stepping up its economic cooperation with
the ASEAN, which will not be limited just to bilateral trade," it
said.