The Secretariat of the ASEAN has hailed the visit by the ASEAN representatives to Japan saying that this is a significant milestone to boost cooperation between the ASEAN and Japan.

An ASEAN delegation led by ASEAN General Secretary Surin Pitsuwan and Chairman of the ASEAN Economic Community Council Cham Prasidh have paid a visit to Japan to promote bilateral ties. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda affirmed Japan will back ASEAN's proposed pact to encourage trade and investment, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). In response, Mr. Surin Pitsuwan spoke highly of Japan’s support saying that the ASEAN and Japan are closely cooperating with each other especially in economics.