Photo/Illutration Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida looks on during the 25th ASEAN–Japan Summit in Phnom Penh on Nov. 12. (AP Photo)

PHNOM PENH--Japan will host a special summit with ASEAN next year to mark the 50th anniversary of their friendly relations after member nations endorsed a proposal pitched by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida here.

Kishida called for the special meeting in Tokyo in December next year, saying he places the utmost importance on Japan-ASEAN ties when he thinks about Asia’s future.

He also announced that Japan will provide yen loans totaling 295 billion yen ($2.12 billion) to ASEAN member nations as they struggle to rebound from the economic pounding delivered by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine served to compound their economic plight as energy prices rocketed.

Kishida arrived in Cambodia early Nov. 12 as part of an ASEAN tour through Nov. 19. He was initially supposed to have arrived on the night of the previous day to give him time to engage in full diplomatic activities from the morning.

But Kishida delayed his trip to Cambodia until 1 a.m. on Nov. 12 as he finally got a grip on a domestic issue that was making waves. In a last-minute decision, the prime minister reversed his previous stance and fired Justice Minister Yasuhiro Hanashi over remarks that suggested he took the death penalty issue too lightly.

The delay due to the fallout from domestic politics took a toll on diplomacy. Meetings with the leaders of Vietnam and Brunei set for Nov. 12 had to be rescheduled.

Kishida attended a summit of the ASEAN, Japan, China and South Korea after arriving in Phnom Penh.

During the meeting Kishida referred to the war in Ukraine and underscored Japan’s position that the use of force in changing the status quo, whether it be in Asia or elsewhere in the world, cannot be tolerated.

After the session, Kishida stood chatting with Laotian Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh, according to Japanese officials.

Kishida told Phankham he was extremely sorry that circumstances had prevented him from spending more time on their meeting.

Phankham replied that he was grateful to have had a chat, even if it was brief, according to Japanese officials.

While standing, Kishida also had a brief conversation with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

The Japanese delegation was initially scheduled to leave Japan at 3 p.m. on Nov. 11 to ensure there would be enough time for a busy diplomatic schedule from the following morning.

But Kishida was forced to reschedule his departure while he took care of the Hanashi matter at the last minute and attend to related matters.

After Cambodia, Kishida is scheduled to visit Indonesia for a summit of the Group of 20 nations and then on to Thailand for a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

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