"Asean is the region where Japan needs to place the biggest importance down the road given its economic growth"
-Taro Aso, Japanese Finance Minister
Japan is considering to boost financial collaboration with Southeast Asian countries, prop up their bond markets and make it easier for Japanese companies to raise funds in local currencies. Asia's second-largest economy is strengthening ties with Asean countries as it tries to boost growth and as territorial tensions with China escalate.
"Asean is the region where Japan needs to place the biggest importance down the road given its economic growth," said Finance Minister Taro Aso. The measures will help "Japan and Asean nations to achieve economic growth and build a win-win relationship," he added.
Moreover, the Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said the nation's aggressive monetary stimulus was supported by finance ministers and central bankers from Asean+3 countries.
"I strongly stressed that our monetary easing is aimed at overcoming a 15-year-long deflation, and I believe we've gained understanding in this regard," Kuroda said after the Asean+3 meeting held near New Delhi during the Asian Development Bank's annual meeting.
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