TOKYO: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida began talks in Japan's capital on Thursday in which they are expected to agree on enhancing regional ties through a US-led Indo-Pacific economic framework launched earlier in the week.
Mr Kishida expressed Japan's cooperation for a successful Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting to be held in November in Bangkok chaired by Thailand.
The United States and 12 other members of the Indo-Pacific economic framework (IPEF) aim to set standards for the digital economy, ensure secure supply chains and help make major investments for clean energy transition, though how the negotiations will proceed is still unclear.
At the outset of the talks, which was open to the press, Mr Kishida said, "I would like to exchange views on how we can further develop our bilateral relations and realise a free and open Indo-Pacific."
The two prime ministers agreed they will never tolerate the attempt to change the status quo by force in Ukraine in response to Russia's invasion of the country.
Mr Kishida told Gen Prayut that the international community needs to be "on the same page in raising the voice of opposition against Russia," according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
Gen Prayut said in response that Thailand shares the same view with Japan on Russia's aggression against Ukraine in principle, adding that diplomatic efforts are vital to end the war as soon as possible, according to the ministry.
Japan has imposed sanctions on Russia over the invasion in coordinated efforts with other Group of Seven countries, while Thailand maintains a neutral policy on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The meeting comes as Japan is seeking to enhance ties with Southeast Asian countries to counter the growing political and economic clout of an assertive China amid concerns over a similar situation taking place in the region as Russia's military aggression continues.
Mr Kishida and Gen Prayut signed an agreement earlier in the month in Bangkok on the mutual transfer of defense equipment and technology to deepen bilateral security cooperation.
