Japan and ASEAN Digital Ministers Agree on Extensive AI Cooperation in Hanoi

Historic Agreement Reached in Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam – Digital ministers from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) concluded a pivotal meeting in Hanoi on Thursday, January 16, 2026, with a joint statement outlining extensive cooperation on artificial intelligence. The agreement focuses on the development of new AI models and the preparation of related laws, marking a significant step in regional technological collaboration.

Japan's Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, who co-chaired the meeting and proposed the joint statement, emphasized the importance of this partnership. The collaboration is designed to foster the creation and introduction of trustworthy artificial intelligence across the region.

Key Pillars of AI Collaboration

The joint statement details several key areas of cooperation, reflecting a comprehensive approach to AI development and governance:

• AI Model Development: A commitment to developing new artificial intelligence models that are culturally and linguistically relevant to the participating nations.
• Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: Joint efforts in preparing and reforming laws related to AI to ensure responsible and ethical adoption.
• Human Resources Development: Initiatives to nurture young developers and enhance human resource capabilities in the AI sector, including considering online courses through the Japan-ASEAN Cyber Security Capacity Building Center (AJCBC).
• Infrastructure and Solutions: Cooperation on infrastructure maintenance and the joint development of AI solutions.
• Inclusive and Reliable AI: Promotion of inclusive and reliable AI, alongside digital solidarity and economic development.

This strategic partnership also includes specific support plans, such as the development of Khmer language models (LLM) for Cambodia, alongside efforts to foster human resources and maintain data centers in the country.

Boosting Regional Competitiveness

The agreement is seen as a strategic move to enhance the competitiveness of Japan and ASEAN in the global AI arena, particularly in response to the growing influence of the United States and China in the sector. By building a cooperative ecosystem, the partners aim to accelerate technological progress and collectively address the ethical, legal, and social implications of AI.

This recent agreement builds upon previous discussions, including a Japan-ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur last October, where Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi advocated for expanding joint research in fields like semiconductors and AI. Furthermore, the 'ASEAN-Japan AI Innovation Co-Creation Roadmap' was proposed in September 2024, laying additional groundwork for this collaboration.