東・南シナ海問題で連携　日ＡＳＥＡＮ外相がＴＶ会議

　茂木敏充外相は９日、東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）外相とのテレビ会議に参加した。茂木氏は東・南シナ海への海洋進出を図る中国を念頭に、力による一方的な現状変更に反対する考えを重ねて表明。法秩序に基づいた航行の自由を確保するため、ＡＳＥＡＮとの連携を確認した。
　会議後、茂木氏は記者団に「法の支配、航行の自由など多くの基本的価値観を共有する中で、日ＡＳＥＡＮの協力を具体化していくことで一致した」と語った。（2020/09/09-21:49）

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at a teleconference on Wednesday, affirmed their cooperation to ensure free navigation based on law and order.
   Motegi reiterated Japan's opposition to any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force, apparently referring to China's increasing assertiveness in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
   "We agreed to give shape to Japan-ASEAN cooperation while sharing many basic values including the rule of law and freedom of navigation," Motegi told reporters after the teleconference.
   During the talks, Motegi also brought up issues related to North Korea, underscoring Japan's position of demanding the reclusive country abolish its nuclear and missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.
   He asked afresh for ASEAN cooperation to resolve the issue of North Korean abductions of Japanese nationals.