ASEAN consisting of 10 countries of Southeast Asia, marks its 40th Founding Anniversary this year.  Also, this year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Manila speech by H.E. Mr. Takeo Fukuda, then Prime Minister of Japan, which emphasized the “heart-to-heart” relationship of ASEAN counties and Japan (Fukuda Doctrine).  In commemoration of these Anniversaries, the ASEAN-Japan Centre organized an “ASEAN FESTIVAL” in Japan, a series of festivities and activities to introduce and showcase ASEAN’s rich and unique culture, traditions and cuisines, the latest economic climate of ASEAN and the significance of ASEAN-Japan relations in Japan.