BANGKOK: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday met with his Thai counterpart, Prayuth Chan-ocha, for talks about economic, security and geopolitical issues, including political upheaval in Myanmar and Russia's war in Ukraine. The two leaders also oversaw the signing of three agreements covering financial cooperation, the transfer of defense equipment and technology, and support for a Covid-19 emergency response. Japan has long been a major economic investor in Thailand, and at a postmeeting news conference Prayuth said Tokyo and Bangkok were drafting a five-year strategic plan for an economic partnership. He also said he and Kishida agreed on the importance of supply-chain connectivity to enhance the development of smart agriculture, Fifth Generation communication technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and electric vehicles and components. Prayuth added that they were pleased with their countries' 'close defense and security cooperation,' but did not elaborate.
