On the first day of his working visit to Japan, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. During the meeting, Dr Kao and PM Kishida highlighted the significance of ASEAN-Japan relations and the mutual commitments to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that is substantive, meaningful, and beneficial. Dr Kao expressed appreciation for Japan’s support to the ASEAN Community-building efforts and looked forward to the convening of ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in December as well as the adoption of a new Vision Statement and its Implementation Plan to map out future direction of ASEAN-Japan relations.