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.