Southeast Asian bloc hosts Japan’s 1st female Premier Takaichi for summit

ISTANBUL

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) hosted Japan’s first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Sunday in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

During the 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed ASEAN’s eagerness to collaborate with Japan on innovation, clean energy, and sustainable growth, according to state news agency Bernama.

“I am honored to welcome Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to her first ASEAN-Japan Summit. We extend our warmest congratulations on your assumption of office, and we hope that your leadership will bring new energy to our long-standing friendship,” Anwar said.

Takaichi, who became Japan’s prime minister on Oct. 21, is the country’s first female leader. Her visit to Malaysia marked her first official overseas trip since taking office.

During the summit, Takaichi said Japan “will expand ASEAN recipients of official security aid” and pledged to “build a reliable artificial intelligence framework” with the regional bloc, according to Kyodo News.

Separately, the world football governing body, FIFA and ASEAN renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on regional football development during the 47th ASEAN Summit, which started on Sunday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn signed the MoU, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim present as the 2025 ASEAN Chair.

ISTANBUL

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) hosted Japan’s first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Sunday in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

Takaichi, who became Japan’s prime minister on Oct. 21, is the country’s first female leader. Her visit to Malaysia marked her first official overseas trip since taking office.

Separately, the world football governing body, FIFA and ASEAN renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on regional football development during the 47th ASEAN Summit, which started on Sunday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn signed the MoU, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim present as the 2025 ASEAN Chair.