Hanoi: Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have reached a consensus to collaborate on the development of new artificial intelligence models and the establishment of related legal frameworks. This agreement was encapsulated in a joint statement adopted during a meeting of digital ministers from Japan and ASEAN member states held in Hanoi on Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Japanese communications minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, who attended the meeting and served as co-chair, proposed the statement. The collaboration comes at a strategic time as the United States and China are enhancing their influence in the AI sector, prompting Japan and ASEAN to bolster their cooperative efforts.

Hayashi emphasized Japan's ongoing commitment to supporting ASEAN's development. This sentiment echoes the discussions from a previous Japan-ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur last October, where Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi advocated for an initiative aimed at expanding joint research in advanced fields, including semiconductors and AI.

The joint statement is an extension of this initiative, urging Japan and ASEAN to work together on developing the necessary infrastructure, implementing security measures, and nurturing human resources. In addition to the regional cooperation, Japan has also signed a memorandum with Cambodia to develop a large language model using Khmer, further demonstrating its commitment to AI advancement.

Furthermore, Hayashi engaged in a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, highlighting the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation between Japan and individual ASEAN member states.