13 December 2005 - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended the 9th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The meeting discussed issues of mutual interests including the progress of ASEAN-Japan cooperation. At the meeting, His Majesty expressed satisfaction at the continued progress of close economic and security cooperation between ASEAN and Japan over the last thirty years.

His Majesty further stated that Japan continued to be one of ASEAN’s most significant trading partners and played an important role in contributing toward ASEAN’s economic development. As for the future, His Majesty expressed the hope that the ASEAN-Japan Plan of Action to be successfully implemented as it reflected the strong commitment of both ASEAN and Japan to enhance that relationship.

His Majesty similarly hoped that Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership be successfully implemented as it would generate better opportunities and bring about greater prosperity to the people. On the bilateral relations, His Majesty stated once again his agreement to launch a study for an Economic Partnership Agreement between Brunei Darussalam and Japan.

A Joint Statement of the 9th ASEAN-Japan summit - Deepening and Broadening of ASEAN-Japan Strategic Partnership was issued containing some basic commitment and understanding of both sides.