経済連携強化へ行動計画　対中国念頭―日ＡＳＥＡＮ経済相会合

　【シエムレアプ（カンボジア北西部）時事】日本と東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）の経済相会合が１８日、カンボジア北西部のシエムレアプで開かれた。日本から出席した西村康稔経済産業相は、影響力を高める中国を念頭に、日本とＡＳＥＡＮの経済連携強化に向け、行動計画の策定を提案。ＡＳＥＡＮ各国から賛同を得た。
　西村氏は会合後に記者会見し、ＡＳＥＡＮについて「世界で最も成長する地域だ」と指摘。その上で、自由で公正な貿易や投資に加え、デジタル化、サプライチェーン（供給網）強化などを進め、経済成長につなげていく重要性を強調した。日本とＡＳＥＡＮは来年に友好協力５０周年を迎えることを受け、行動計画の策定を急ぎ、中国に対抗したい考えだ。（2022/09/18-16:50）

Japan and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed Sunday to create an action plan to strengthen their economic partnership, apparently mindful of China's growing influence in the region.
   At the day's meeting of economic ministers from Japan and ASEAN countries held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura proposed the creation of such an action plan and the ASEAN ministers supported the proposal.
   Holding a press conference after the meeting, Nishimura said, "ASEAN is a region that will grow the most in the world." He then stressed the importance of promoting digitalization, trade and investment that are free and fair and the strengthening of supply chains so that ASEAN countries can achieve economic growth.
   With 2023 marking the 50th year of Japan-ASEAN friendly cooperative relations, the two sides are hoping to work out the action plan swiftly in order to counter China.
   Also at Sunday's meeting, Nishimura presented a plan to realize 100 cases of companies utilizing data to make supply chains more sophisticated over five years and create 100 businesses that address social challenges every year.