(VOVworld) - The Japanese government stressed the importance of supporting the 10 ASEAN member countries in its annual report on foreign aid released Friday.

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and ASEAN leaders. (Photo: globalnation)

The report said “ASEAN countries are an extremely important region from both a political and an economic perspective as they lie along Japan's shipping lane and have strong economic ties" with many Japanese companies.

According to the latest white paper released by the Foreign Ministry on Japan’s official development assistance, the stability and development of this region will have a major influence on Japan's safety and prosperity.

Japan's assistance to ASEAN will cover infrastructure development, strengthening the rule of law, and maritime safety, according to the paper, which was presented to the Cabinet on Friday.

The paper also said Japan seeks to establish in the East Asia region "an order based on universal values", including freedom, democracy, respect for fundamental human rights, and the rule of law.

The paper said Japan intends to promote high-quality infrastructure, which will "make Asia the center of global economic growth," create jobs, and make technology available to local people.