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[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from members of the Project Advisory Board of the Asia Center of the Japan Foundation at the Prime Minister’s Office.

In his address, the Prime Minster said,

“I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Prime Minister’s Office to all the “WA Project:” Towards Interactive Asia through “Fusion and Harmony” Advisory Board members.

Our friends from Asia who are visiting us today have chosen the best possible timing, as Tokyo is just experiencing the cherry trees in full bloom. This timing varies from year to year, but it seems as if they have come into full bloom today especially to coincide with your visit.

The WA Project deepens the spiritual bonds between Japan and the other ASEAN nations, and I am delighted to welcome all of you who play such an important role as advisors to the project.

The start of the WA Project goes back to the year before last, December 2013, when the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit Meeting was held in Tokyo to mark the milestone of 40 years of friendship and cooperation between Japan and ASEAN.

So that Japan and each ASEAN country further deepen our ties of friendship and cooperation, I would like culture to be a medium for fostering friendship and trust among young people, who represent the next generation. Based on this idea, I announced the launch of the WA Project.

Over this past year, I believe that the ties between ASEAN and Japan have definitely deepened through the WA Project. For example, one hundred Japanese Language Partners who teach the Japanese language in various ASEAN countries, have been dispatched to Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and other countries. Last September, in this Office, I offered words of encouragement to the first group of Japanese Language Partners before their departure. Also, artistic and cultural exchange activities among ASEAN countries, such as through sports, films, and many other fields, are steadily increasing.

Tomorrow, the WA Project will enter its second year. While keeping the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in Tokyo in 2020 in mind, I would like the cultural exchanges between ASEAN and Japan to become even more active.  

One of the special features of this Advisory Board is that the Japan side and the ASEAN side each has their advisory board. I have been told that today there was ample discussion on how cultural exchanges within Asia should be advanced. Although I am sure that each of you is very busy, I hope that you will continue to meet regularly, and I would like to offer my support to help make this project even more significant.

I would like to conclude my greetings by expressing my heartfelt thanks to all the Council members on the ASEAN side, who have travelled all the way to Japan from your various countries, and to Chair Yamauchi and all the Council members on the Japan side. Thank you very much.”