Five years after ASEAN establishment in 1967, Japan had its first dialogue, and on the 10th anniversary of ASEAN, Japan announced the Fukuda Doctrine. The Fukuda Doctrine promises Japan’s resolve to be a nation committed to peace and never again become a military power, to consolidate our relationship of mutual confidence and trust based on a “heart-to-heart” understanding as a true friend, and to support ASEAN’s own efforts to strengthen their solidarity and resilience as an “equal partner”.

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