ASEAN Important Partner for Japan: Former Prime Minister

Jakarta, (Antara Sumbar) - Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has said that the ASEAN had become an important partner for Japan, because the association had provided adequate resources.

"It is also a source of livelihood for the Japanese economy," Fukuda stated during a symposium on the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN and the 40th anniversary of the Fukuda Doctrine here, Friday.

He pointed out that the relations between Japan and the ASEAN had been established for decades.

"There is a dependence on each other," he affirmed.

One of the largest and most advanced sector is the Japanese automotive industry, which actually has many bases in ASEAN member countries, such as Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, he highlighted.

"This sector has generated as many as 35 million vehicles and provided about 153 thousand jobs to local resources," he remarked.

With a long journey and positive developments, Fukuda expressed optimism that the ASEAN will be able to become a global economic center, replacing the United States and the European countries.

"The ASEAN will be a strong anchor in the development of the Asia Pacific region," he stressed.

Based on the Asian Development Bank (ADB) report, ASEAN countries and its strategic partners will drive the shifting of the global economic center from America and Europe to Asia.

The total GDP will rise from 27 percent in 2010 to 51 percent in 2050.

In addition to these, the per capita income will rise six-fold to about US$38,600 , making the people of Asia as prosperous as the Europeans now. (*)

Editor: Vicha Faradika