Jakarta, Dec. 1 -- The Japanese Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Kiya Masahiko, presented his credentials to Secretary General Dato' Lim Jock Hoi at the ASEAN Secretariat building in Jakarta on Thursday.

"This morning, I had the honor and pleasure of presenting a letter of Foreign Minister of Japan, Yoshimasa Hayashi, to ASEAN Secretary General, Lim Jock Hoi, for my appointment as the ambassador here," Masahiko said at a press conference here on Thursday.

Masahiko has been appointed as the Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN in place of Akira Chiba.

After presenting his credentials, Masahiko held a discussion with Lim on ASEAN-Japan relations in many sectors, especially their aspirations ahead of the 50th anni...