(From left to right Jessica Irene Wong Wibowo, Phassakorn Sukjan, Mr.Hideyuki Tanaka(Guest Speaker), Dr. Wilfried A. Herrmann,Yilan Qiao)
On September 22, 2023, HDFF team attended “Japan’s Economic Cooperation on AOIP” lecture at the Social Innovation Hub in Chulalongkorn University. The event was hosted by the Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS) and featured Mr. Hideyuki Tanaka, the Chair of the Subcommittee of Asean Economic Relations at Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), who gave a special lecture on ASEAN-Japan Partnership in The New Era. Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak from ISIS Thailand and the Faculty of Political Science at Chulalongkorn University moderated the event. The main topic of the lecture was Keidanren’s objectives and priorities in the future.
The lecture was opened by Dr. Prakorn Siriprakob, the Dean and Associate Professor of the Faculty of Political Science at Chulalongkorn University. In his opening remarks, he thanked Mr. Tanaka for taking the time to deliver the lecture and commented on the significant influence that Japan contributes to ASEAN countries.
Mr. Tanaka commenced his lecture by sharing the objectives of Keidanren (Japanese Business Federation), highlighting how Keidanren has established consensus within the community and is committed to striving for resolution on international issues and the development of close relations through policy dialogue. He then discussed the priority initiatives of Keidanren in 2023, which include achieving growth through science, technology, and innovation in line with global issues like climate change, supporting green digital transformation, and rebuilding a free and open international economic order. Mr. Tanaka elaborated on Japan’s commitment to building a sustainable ASEAN society through dynamic growth and the resolution of social issues. This involves investment in various areas, such as infrastructure, diverse industrial sectors, human resources development, and technology transfer. Japan aims to consider the diversity and needs of each country while responding to climate change and other common issues faced by both Japan and ASEAN.
Mr. Tanaka also highlighted shifts in the international order, from the US-China conflict to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has influenced people’s awareness of crises and inequalities between countries. He emphasized the importance of using these crises as opportunities to restore solidarity and shared how Japan can contribute by sharing its history and experience with ASEAN countries. Mr. Tanaka went on to explain the ASEAN economy from the Japanese perspective, where the ASEAN is believed to have the opportunity for high economic growth though it has disparities within the region. The Japanese investment is then expected to help break out of middle-income countries’ trap by creating innovation and upgrading the industrial sector. Simultaneously, ASEAN countries have their own priorities, such as digital transformation, sustainable development, health resilience, and food security. Japan acknowledged ASEAN’s expectations of Japanese companies, including support for digital transformation, circular economy initiatives, and supply chain connectivity, which they are committed to fulfilling. Mr. Tanaka also emphasized Japan’s respect for the diversity of ASEAN countries and their commitment to working together as equal partners. Japan plans to develop effective private diplomacy tailored to each country and continue transforming itself to align with the vision of the society it aspires to be. Regarding ASEAN countries’ expectations, Mr. Tanaka mentioned that Keidanren will endeavor to stimulate and create new opportunities for startup collaboration and support the digital economy. This includes deploying 5G as the foundation of a smart society and building key telecommunication networks like submarine cables. (The related presentation is attached as PDF).
(From left to right: Phassakorn Sukjan, Yilan Qiao, Dr. Wilfried A. Herrmann, Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak (moderator), Jessica Irene Wong Wibowo)
HDFF thanks the Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS) of Chulalongkorn University for their hospitality to attend this lecture and is looking forward to joining other events to uphold democracy.