Greetings from DISG Secretariat
Dear readers,
Here it is already May. We are pleased to see a great recovery in social and economic activities in many countries, with the further easing of restrictions on COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, I had the opportunity to visit Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines which all left me impressed by the vibrancy of the cities.
There have been significant developments at the governmental level for ASEAN and Japan. Prime Minister Kishida visited Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand and held talks with top leaders of these three countries.
On the economic side, we are pleased to confirm that we will work together to strengthen supply chains, create innovation and solve social challenges, and realize energy transitions, a direction that is also in line with DISG initiative.
One more good news to share. ASEAN-JAPAN Business Week (AJBW), launched last year, is coming back! Please wait a few more days for the official announcement. Today, I would just like to tell you to save your calendars for the week of 30th May. We sincerely look forward to your participation in AJBW 2022.
KOBAYASHI Hirokazu
Chair of AMEICC DISG Task Force
Executive Director, JETRO Singapore
Prime Minister Kishida Visits Southeast Asia
From 29th April to 2nd May, Prime Minister Kishida visited Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand and the outline of the summit meetings are as follows.
On 29th April, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, who was visiting Indonesia, held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia.
In the opening, President Joko mentioned by closely coordinate, would like to further strengthen strategic partnership between both countries. As a response, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan would like to further proceed the cooperation on the realization of “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)”.
Two leaders discussed cooperation in a variety of fields such as trade, investment, smart city, development of remote islands and fisheries, etc. Also, regarding energy transition, President Joko mentioned that it is one of the priority issues of G20, and would like to proceed concrete cooperation among the two countries. Prime Minister Kishida further stated that Japan will coordinate closely to realize “Asia Zero-emission Community” and support energy transition based on each country’s situation.
Moreover, Prime Minister Kishida welcomed the start of the bilateral public- private dialogue held on 25th April, and mentioned that Japan will support supply chain resilience and solving socio-economic challenges by using innovative technologies aiming in the ASEAN region based on “Asia-Japan Investing for the Future Initiative (AJIF)”.
Both leaders agreed to further develop bilateral relations and ASEAN-Japan relations, taking into account that next year is 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Japan, and 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.
For more details of the meeting, please click here.
(Photo: MOFA) https://www.mofa.go.jp/s_sa/sea1/vn/page3e_001194.html
On 1st May, Prime Minister KISHIDA visited ed Viet Nam and held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Viet Nam. Prime Minister Kishida stated that Viet Nam is a key partner in the realization of the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" and that he would like to enhance bilateral ties between Japan and Viet Nam as the world stands at a historical crossroads over the foundations of the international order. In response, Prime Minister Chinh welcomed his first visit as Prime Minister and expressed his intention to work closely on bilateral relations and responses to various regional and international affairs.
The two leaders discussed various cooperation in the areas of the diversification of supply chains, digital transformation, and technological innovation. Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan would cooperate to support energy transition toward decarbonization through his vision of “Asia Zero Emissions Community” and in enhancing disaster prevention capacity through the launch of an earth observation satellite.
They also shared the view to establish executive committees for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Viet Nam next year.
For more details of the meeting, please click here.
On 2nd May, Prime Minister KISHIDA held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand.
Prime Minister Kishida stated Japan would like to strengthen cooperation with Thailand towards realization of the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" and response to region affairs. Also, Japan would like to further develop friendly relationship together with Thailand as a strategic partner, taking into account that this year is 135th anniversary of the relations between Thailand and Japan.
Two leader discussed strengthening economic relations in the fields of economic security, including supply chain resilience; decarbonization through “Asia Energy Transition Initiative (AETI) and the introduction of “Asia Zero Emissions Community.”; digitalization including 5G, smart city; and healthcare.
Prime Minister Kishida mentioned that Japan contributed 1.5 billion yen for ACMECS Development Fund related to Mekong-Japan cooperation. Both leaders agreed to continue to closely cooperate for the development of Mekong region.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan would like to introduce the vision of future ASEAN-Japan cooperation at the Commemorative Summit Meeting held in Japan, considering that next year is 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. In response, Prime Minister Prayut stated that Thailand will cooperate and support Japan’s initiative as ASEAN Country Coordinator for Japan.
For more details of the meeting, please click here. (Only available in Japanese now)
Pre-Announcement of 3rd Call for the Asia Digital Transformation (Asia DX) Promotion Program
In early May 2022, AMEICC Secretariat, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will open the 3rd call for Asia Digital Transformation (Asia DX) Promotion Program.
We already introduced this program in our news contents and have 40 ongoing projects now. Please see our ongoing projects list here our news on 3rd August 2021.
This Asia DX program covers expenses for demonstration projects by ASEAN and Japanese companies jointly to contribute to solving the socio-economic challenges in ASEAN region with innovative technologies such as digital tech.
Through the implementation of the projects, Japanese companies will proactively contribute to further disseminating innovations and improving the business environment in collaboration with the governments and private sector in the region.
Only a Japanese company can directly apply for this program, but it is necessary to find a local ASEAN company as a partner for its pilot project planned to apply.
For a private company in Southeast Asia, there is an opportunity to apply for this program only if you can find a good Japanese partner. Please consider trying it with your Japanese partner.
There is enough time to prepare for the application. We just opened the 3rd call from 9th May to 30th June 2022. Please see detail from our recent news here.
Don’t miss this opportunity!!
Editorial Note
