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On October 9, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Tenth Mekong-Japan- Summit Meeting and other events, held at the Akasaka Palace State Guest House.
 
Prime Minister Abe welcomed the leaders of each country, and then attended a commemorative photograph session. Following that, together with the leaders, the Prime Minister interacted with soccer players from Japan and the countries of the Mekong region who are attending the Japan-Mekong Youth Exchange Program (football). Afterwards, the Prime Minister attended the Tenth Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting, and held a joint press announcement with the leaders of each country.
 
In his opening address at the Summit Meeting, the Prime Minister said,
 
“I am honored and pleased to welcome Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, H.E. Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, H.E. Mr. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, and H.E. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, as well as the representatives of each country, to Tokyo for the Tenth Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting.
 
First and foremost, on behalf of the Government of Japan and the people of Japan, I would like to express my most sincere condolences on the passing of H.E. Mr. Tran Dai Quang, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and H.E. Mr. Do Muoi, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. Together with all of you, I would also like to pray for the repose of the souls.
 
The Mekong region is a land blessed with a wealth of human resources and a rich natural environment. This region serves as a corridor that connects East Asia with South Asia, as well as a land bridge linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Mekong region possesses geographical advantages and holds the promise of a prosperous future. Japan has long supported the growth and development of the countries in the Mekong region. The framework of Mekong-Japan cooperation has reached its 10-year milestone. Taking this opportunity, I hope that we will define the relationship between Japan and the Mekong region as a strategic partnership and further advance our cooperation, so as to materialize a prosperous future together. Under the New Tokyo Strategy 2015 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation (MJC2015), Japan has provided support exceeding its pledged amount, which has catalyzed more than 2 trillion yen of investments from Japanese companies in the Mekong region over the past three years. I am very pleased that Japan has contributed to the development of the Mekong region.
 
Under the Japan-Mekong Connectivity Initiative adopted two years ago, the connectivity within and outside the Mekong region has been significantly strengthened. For example, travel time has been reduced by half, and toll fees are expected to increase by two or three times in some sections of the Southern Economic Corridor. There have also been remarkable results in the aspect of soft connectivity. Through support for the introduction of an electronic customs clearance system, the shortest customs clearance time has been shortened from 15 minutes to between one to three seconds. Based on these achievements, which we should be proud of, as well as the outcomes of the Mekong-Japan Ministerial Meeting and Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers Meeting held this August, I would like to set out the following three new pillars of cooperation: (1) vibrant and effective connectivity; (2) people-centered society; and (3) realization of a green Mekong. I believe that these three pillars hold the key to the further development of the Mekong region. In promoting these three pillars dynamically, we will strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out by the United Nations, materialize a free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), and promote collaboration with the Ayeyawady–Chao Phraya–Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), which the Mekong countries are advancing as a framework for economic cooperation.
 
Today, I hope to engage in a frank exchange of views with the leaders of the Mekong countries about the future of the Mekong region and Japan, and to formulate a guideline for future cooperation.”