On 26 September 2025, the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) hosted the 21st Meeting among the Secretaries General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), ASEAN-Japan Centre, and ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) in Sakai City, Japan. The Centres were represented by Secretary General Shi Zhongjun, Secretary General Hirabayashi Kunihiko, and Secretary General Kim Jae-Shin respectively. Initially conducted in 2013, the ACC, AJC, and the AKC have since taken turns hosting the meeting.
(From left to right) Shi Zhongjun, Hirabayashi Kunihiko, Kim Jae-shin
Moderated by Hirabayashi Kunihiko, the meeting brought together the three Centres for the 21st time.
During the meeting, Hirabayashi introduced the backdrop in which the meeting was held: ASEAN under Malaysia’s Chairmanship and the unveiling of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. He highlighted that both these occasions emphasize a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred ASEAN. He stressed that people-centredness must guide cooperation that enhances livelihoods, empower MSMEs, and promote inclusive growth.
Representing the ACC, Shi Zhongjun emphasized the vitality of the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) cooperation, guided by ASEAN centrality. He also noted the progress under the APT Cooperation Work Plan (2023-2027) citing key developments such as the implementation of RCEP, the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, and cooperation in food security and innovation. He reaffirmed ACC’s commitment to translating leaders’ consensus into tangible outcomes and strengthening collaboration among the three Centres.
On behalf of the AKC, Kim Jae-shin reaffirmed the AKC’s commitment to deepening ASEAN-Korea relations, now elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). He underscored the Centres’ role in translating high-level commitments into practical cooperation and highlighted the AKC’s achievements in trade, investment, tourism, youth engagement, and digital transformation.
In a separate session, the ASEAN-Japan Centre also hosted the Dialogue Among the ASEAN Plus One Centre, extending an invitation to all Centres from the ASEAN CSP Nations list. Present at the Dialogue were the ASEAN-Australia Centre (AAC), the ASEAN India Centre (AIC), the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC), and the ASEAN-US Center (AUC).
The Centres exchanged opinions and shared experiences of the various activities that are being conducted across the Centres. Ideas of how the Centres may work together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of ASEAN were also discussed.
After the meeting, the Centres visited the ASEAN Pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka, sharing the results of the meeting with the ASEAN Secretariat, represented by Lee Yoong Yoong, Director of Corporate Affairs Directorate.
