H.E. Mr. Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, paid an official visit to Thailand on 1-2 May 2022 as guest of the Royal Thai Government and met with with General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand in the evening of of 2 May 2022 to discuss ways to strengthen the Strategic Partnership between Thailand and Japan at the bilateral, sub-regional and regional dimensions and exchange views on the regional and international situation of mutual interests.

Both Prime Ministers were pleased with the continued development of Thailand-Japan relations. On the occasion of the 135th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries this year, the two leaders saw merit in considering the elevation of the bilateral relations from a “Strategic Partnership” to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” to reflect the close and progressive relations.

On economic cooperation, the two Prime Ministers expressed the determination to finalize and announce the entry into effect of the 5-Year Joint Strategic Plan on Thailand-Japan Strategic Economic Partnership within this year to serve as a roadmap to steer forward economic relations in potential areas of interest. Both sides reaffirmed their determination to promote investment by Japan in Thailand’s targeted industries, particularly in electric vehicles or EVs, smart electronics, pharmaceuticals, digital and Bio-Circular-Green economy (BCG) in various parts of Thailand, including the investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Moreover, both sides reaffirmed on synergizing between Thailand’s BCG Economy model and the Japan’s Green Growth Strategy and to cooperate in human resource development to accomodate Japan’s investment, the energy cooperation to achieve the target of Carbon Neutrality, the development of smart cities, digital economy and 5G, and the development of innovative SMEs and Startups, as well as the promotion of trade. Prime Minister of Japan emphasized that Thailand is Japan’s largest manufacturing hub in the region and Japan is ready to cooperate with Thailand to develop various economic sectors, particularly in the EVs industry and innovative Startups.

On healthcare cooperation, both leaders agreed to cooperate in the Post-COVID-19 recovery. The Prime Minister of Thailand expressed appreciation to the Government of Japan for providing various forms of assistance to Thailand to alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 situation such as the provision of more than 2 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines and vaccine storage equipments. Both sides also reaffirmed the readiness to further strengthen health cooperation to address prospective emerging diseases in the future.

On political and security cooperation, the Prime Minister of Thailand and the Prime Minister of Japan agreed to enhance security, defence and judicial cooperation as well as technical cooperation in third countries, including the development of Mekong sub-region. In addition, both sides expressed their determination to promote cooperation under the ASEAN-Japan framework, of which Thailand’s coordinatorship (2021-2024) coincides with the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan cooperation in 2023. Both sides agreed to promote cooperation in potential areas under the ASEAN-Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). Both Prime ministers also exchanged views on regional and international situation of mutual interests, including the situation in Myanmar, Ukraine, South China Sea and East China Sea, Korean Peninsula, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform as well as the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

On the occasion of Thailand’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) this year, Prime Minister of Japan reaffirmed the readiness to visit Thailand to attend the APEC Economic Leaders Week in November and to support Thailand in hosting a successful meeting.

After the meeting, both Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of three documents, namely: (1) the Exchange of Notes on financial cooperation between the Royal Thai Government and the Government of Japan; (2) the Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of Japan Concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology; and (3) the Exchange of Notes regarding the grant by the Government of Japan under the Programme for COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support. Afterwards, both Prime Ministers held a Joint Press Conference highlighting the outcome of the meeting.

Following the meeting, both sides attended a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of Thailand in honour of Prime Minister of Japan and his delegation.

The remarks by the Prime Minister of Thailand is as attached.