HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Chairman of Asean 2013, yesterday afternoon consented to attend a luncheon for the Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit hosted by the business community (Keidanren and Japan Chambers of Commerce and Industry – JCCI). The event took place at Keidanren Kaikan, Tokyo.

Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by Hiromasa Yonekura, the Chairman of Keidanren, and Akio Mimura, the Chairman of JCCI, and then invited to join the other Asean Heads of State and Government.

The luncheon began with opening remarks by Hiromasa Yonekura who welcomed His Majesty and other Asean Heads of State and Government and gave a brief background of Keidanren, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.

His Majesty consented to deliver a titah, whereby His Majesty expressed his gratitude to Keidanren and the JCCI for hosting the luncheon on the day of commemorating 40 years of Asean-Japan relations.

His Majesty said that the relationship is deeply meaningful due to the roles mutually played in each other’s industrial development over the last few decades.

On Asean’s part, His Majesty was pleased that Asean has been a reliable source of energy to Japan for many years. At the same time, His Majesty appreciated the contribution that had been made by Japan’s companies through strongly established roots in Asean, where they have shown their willingness to embrace values and understood the importance of giving back to the communities in which they are operating.

His Majesty also took the opportunity to encourage Japan’s continued commitment in helping realise the Asean Community and also welcomed views on how to further deepen the cooperation and appreciated the suggestions to help improve the business climate. Asean has also seen how Japanese companies have contributed to the revival of its economy.

His Majesty also noted that Japan’s innovation and technological capabilities are acknowledged globally and its continued presence and investments in the region will always be welcomed by Asean.

At the luncheon, Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, also delivered his remarks.

KEIDANREN (Japan Business Federation) is a comprehensive economic organisation with a membership comprised 1,300 representative companies of Japan, 121 nationwide industrial associations and 47 regional economic organisations. While, the JCCI is the central organisation of all local chambers of commerce in all of Japan’s major cities.

Accompanying His Majesty were Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister’s Office; Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; and Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office. - Borneo Bulletin (15 December 2013)