At the invitation of Japan Minister of Justice Saito Ken, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn will attend the ASEAN-Japan Special Meeting of Justice Ministers (AJSMJ), which will be held on 6-7 July 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The visit is expected to strengthen ASEAN-Japan cooperation and partnership on the rule of law and justice. During this special meeting, SG Dr Kao will attend various related event such as the Special Youth Forum which aims to promote the role of ASEAN and Japanese youth in the area of rule of law, human rights and justice. He will also attend the ASEAN-G7 Justice Ministers’ Interface, the first engagement between ASEAN and G7 on issues of common concern in promoting and maintaining international peace and order, and the rule of law. On the sidelines of the AJSMJ, SG Dr. Kao will meet with the ASEAN Committee in Tokyo, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and give lecture at the University of Tokyo.
As ASEAN and Japan celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the ASEAN-JAPAN Friendship and Cooperation, the convening of AJSMJ and related events demonstrates the strong commitment of both sides to further advance ASEAN-Japan cooperation on shared fundamental values such as the rule of law and respect for human rights, and justice, among others, built on the strong foundations of ASEAN-Japan Strategic Partnership.
