Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a symposium held in Tokyo entitled "Asia in Harmony: New Horizons for Cultural Exchange."

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"I would like to offer my congratulations on the holding of today's symposium, 'Asia in Harmony.' I understand that in today's symposium discussions will be held on how to build a new Asia through cultural exchange.
Asia has seen the movement of culture and thought as represented by the spread of Buddhism. Through the interactions of prosperous civilizations cultivated by Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, and Hinduism, Asia has become a beautiful and prosperous cultural sphere that is rich in diversity.
Over these past few decades ASEAN has achieved tremendous economic growth. It is now time for Japan and ASEAN, as equal partners, to respect and value each other's cultures, to deepen our understanding for one another, and move forward into the future.
This year is actually the 40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and it can be said that this is an appropriate time to further expand and deepen the relationship between Japan and ASEAN.
In January of this year I visited Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, and set forth the 'Five Principles of Japan's ASEAN Diplomacy.' The fourth principle involves 'bringing about ever more fruitful intercultural ties.' In order to consider concrete measures in this regard, in April I established the Advisory Committee on Cultural Exchanges in Asia.
I have asked Mr. Masayuki Yamauchi, Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo, who is chairing today's symposium, to serve as Chair of the Advisory Committee. Just yesterday I received the recommendations of said Advisory Committee.
In line with those recommendations, I believe it is important to promote culture exchange under the concepts of 'Fusion and Harmony' while maintaining the diversity of each individual Asian country.
I also believe that these cultural exchanges should be heart to heart, bidirectional, and win-win in form.
I understand that panelists representing a variety of sectors from Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore are in attendance today. In addition, a number of vastly experienced experts are in attendance as well on the Japanese side.
I look forward to hearing the local perspectives regarding cultural exchange from the various Asian countries during today's symposium, and hope that the Japanese side will also offer novel perspectives on the subject as well.
As a result, like two wheels on the same axle, I hope to reflect these opinions, together with the opinions of the Advisory Committee, in the draft of the new Japan-Asia Cultural Exchange Policy, which will be announced in December.
In December of this year a Special Conference on ASEAN will be held in Tokyo, where the leaders of each of the ASEAN countries will gather in the same venue. Upon further specifying the aforementioned recommendations and based on the results of today's meeting, I hope to further disseminate the thoughts of Japan to ASEAN and the rest of Asia.
I strongly hope that you will engage in highly fruitful discussions today."