{
  "id": 8702500,
  "title": "Japan, ASEAN Agree to Study Expansion of Trade Pact",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/japan-asean-agree-to-study-expansion-of-trade-pact",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-20T14:18:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nippon.com News",
    "slug": "nippon-com-news",
    "url": "https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2026092000189/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Economy ministers from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met in Manila on Sunday to discuss expanding the Japan-ASEAN economic partnership agreement, according to Ryosei Akazawa, a Japanese official. The participants expressed interest in bolstering cooperation in various sectors, including energy security, artificial intelligence, and supply chains, as reported by Akazawa at a press conference. Japanese Economy Minister Akazawa emphasized the intention to further solidify the strong economic ties between the two parties during the meeting.\n\nPhilippine Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque, who chaired the meeting, highlighted the growing importance of Japan-ASEAN cooperation in the face of increasing global uncertainties. At the beginning of the gathering, Roque stressed the significance of the partnership amidst geopolitical tensions and risks to key energy supply routes. The ministers adopted a joint statement, vowing to refrain from unilateral measures that could further destabilize the world economy.",
  "summary": "Manila, Sept. 20 (Jiji Press)--Economy ministers from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed at a meeting in Manila on Sunday to begin a study on expanding the Japan-ASEAN economic partnership agreement, Japan's Ryosei Akazawa said after the meeting. Participants expressed their interest in strengthening cooperation in fields such as energy security, artificial intellig...",
  "key_points": [
    "Japanese and ASEAN economy ministers met in Manila to discuss expanding trade pact.",
    "Ministers expressed interest in cooperation in energy security, AI, supply chains.",
    "Joint statement vowed to avoid unilateral measures destabilizing global economy."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}