Japan and ASEAN Agree to Cooperate on AI Development and Regulation

Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to strengthen cooperation on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) models and the preparation of related legal frameworks, according to a joint statement adopted in Hanoi on Thursday.

The agreement was reached at a meeting of digital ministers from Japan and ASEAN member states, attended by Japanese Communications Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, who proposed the joint statement and served as co-chair of the meeting.

Strategic Cooperation in AI

The initiative comes as both the United States and China expand their influence in the global AI sector, prompting Japan and ASEAN to deepen collaboration in order to remain competitive.

At the opening of the meeting, Hayashi emphasized Japan’s continued commitment to supporting ASEAN’s development, stating that Japan will keep contributing to the region’s digital and technological growth.

Broader Initiative Announced at Summit

The AI cooperation builds on a broader initiative announced at a Japan-ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur last October, where Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called for expanded joint research in strategic fields such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

The joint statement adopted in Hanoi outlines plans not only for AI model development, but also for:

• Building related digital infrastructure

• Establishing security and governance measures

• Promoting human resource development in advanced technologies

Bilateral and Regional Engagement

In addition to the ASEAN-wide framework, Japan signed a memorandum of cooperation with Cambodia to support the development of a large language model using the Khmer language, highlighting Japan’s focus on inclusive and localized AI development.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Hayashi also held a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, further reinforcing Japan’s diplomatic engagement with Southeast Asian nations.