NEWS

Press Conference on ASEAN Youth Caravan’s Goodwill Visit to Japan

On 31 May, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN, held a press conference at ASEAN Secretariat on the visit of ASEAN Youth Caravan of Goodwill visit to Japan. Japan’s Ambassador to ASEAN, Mr. Takio Yamada, attended the press conference.

In the press conference, Dr. Surin expressed his gratitude to Japan which has cooperated enthusiastically with ASEAN for about 40 years in the areas of investments, trades etc., and he expressed his eagerness to further strengthen human bond with Japan by visiting Japan together with the victims of natural disasters in ASEAN Member States, and sharing pain, sorrow, and the experiences with the victims in Japan.

In response, Ambassador Yamada expressed his appreciation to Dr. Surin for his initiatives and efforts to make the Caravan’s visit into reality and that this visit to Japan, which is in a difficult situation with damages of the earthquake and tsunami, will give the people strong confidence that they are not alone. Ambassador Yamada also stated his resolve to make the relationship between Japan and ASEAN, which is often described as “Heart-to-Heart Partnership”, to become even more true to its name.

After the press conference, there was a music performance by Indonesia's famous music band "Padi" who will participate in the Caravan.

ASEAN Youth Caravan will arrive in Japan on 2 June and visit disaster areas such as Ishinomaki City and Onagawa City in Miyagi Prefecture, and return on 5 June.

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