Greetings from DISG Secretariat
Dear readers,
We would like to express our deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. We also offer our heartfelt sympathies to those who were affected by the earthquakes, as well as to their families and loved ones.
Now, for the February newsletter, we will be delivering the following topics.
- • Expert Panel for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation
- • The Vietnam-Japan Economic Forum 2023
- • 7th round of Support Program to Strengthen Overseas Supply Chains is now open!
- • Japan-Singapore Economic Dialogue
- • Updates of Japanese leaders
Best regards,
ISHIKAWA Hiroshi
Chair of AMEICC DISG Task Force
Executive Director, JETRO Singapore
Special Advisor to Minister, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan
Expert Panel for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation
On February 3, 2023, the second meeting of the ASEAN-Japan Friendship Cooperation 50th Anniversary Expert Meeting was held, and Vice Chief Cabinet Secretary, Kihara received a report from the experts.
This expert meeting was established in response to the expressed intention of Prime Minister Kishida at the ASEAN-Japan Summit in October 2021 and was welcomed by many ASEAN leaders. At the special ASEAN-Japan Summit in 2023, it is expected that a document summarizing the ASEAN-Japan relationship so far and proposing a new direction for future relations will be adopted. In preparation for this summit, the government has held eight research meetings on a wide range of topics since the establishment of the ASEAN-Japan Friendship Cooperation 50th Anniversary Expert Meeting in May 2022 as a reference.
The report outlines 3 new pillars for the ASEAN-Japan partnership, which were compiled after eight study groups:
(1) Building a fair regional order based on free and open rules;
(2) Realizing a symbiotic society that satisfies both economic development, sustainability, and fairness;
(3) Fostering mutual understanding and trust as the foundation for a new ASEAN-Japan partnership.
In order to achieve these three pillars, not only the conventional tools for ASEAN cooperation, but also their successors or new mechanisms will be considered in the future. We will also work to deepen cooperation schemes and projects by utilizing not only ODA but also government and private resources.
- Expert Panel for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation (LINK)
The Vietnam-Japan Economic Forum 2023
On February 15, 2023, The Vietnam-Japan Economic Forum 2023, jointly organized by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), was held in Hanoi, Vietnam. This event was held as part of the activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations and with the support of the ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-creation Vision under the auspices of AMEICC, with representatives from relevant agencies and companies in Vietnam and Japan in attendance.
The forum held panel discussions on the following 3 themes:
(1) Cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in high-tech agriculture;
(2) Cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in low-carbon green growth, including renewable energy;
(3) Cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in startups.
7th round of Support Program to Strengthen Overseas Supply Chains is now open!
From February 2023, the 7th call for proposals (equipment introduction type) for the Support Program to Strengthen Overseas Supply Chains has started. This program provides subsidies for equipment introduction, demonstration projects, and feasibility studies aimed at diversifying overseas production bases, mainly in Southeast Asia. So far, 81 projects have been implemented in the first three calls for proposals under the FY2020 Supplementary Budget of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and 28 projects have been adopted in the fourth to sixth calls for proposals under the FY2020 Third Supplementary Budget for Support Program to Strengthen Overseas Supply Chains.
Application Guidelines
- Purpose of the program:
In response to the vulnerability of Japan's supply chain exposed by the spread of COVID-19, the program aims to enhance the resilience of the supply chain through diversification of production in the Asian region, and to strengthen the economic and industrial cooperation between Japan and ASEAN.
- Basic requirements for eligible applicants:
Applicants must have a base and legal entity in Japan, and have actual business operations in Japan.
- Eligible projects for subsidy:
Investment in manufacturing equipment for new or expanded facilities by ASEAN-based foreign subsidiaries or affiliates of private sector entities that contribute to strengthening the ASEAN-Japan supply chain.
- Application deadline:
April 14th, 2023 (Friday) 17:00 (JST)
- Announcement of selected projects:
Expected in late June (subject to change)
Please refer to JETRO's website for details. (Japanese) (LINK)
Japan-Singapore Economic Dialogue
On February 15, 2023, the Japan-Singapore Economic Dialogue (JSED) was held in Singapore. Based on the Asia Future Investment Initiative, the dialogue aims to promote the efforts of the public and private sectors of Japan and Singapore in various fields such as startups, advanced supply chain, and digital economy. It was launched in May 2022 after a meeting between the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Second Minister for Trade and Industry and Minister for Manpower of Singapore, Dr. Tan See Leng.
Discussions were held on how to promote cooperation in specific projects, such as the promotion of startups, advanced supply chain, and digital economy, which are important themes for both Japan and Singapore. The talks also covered how to connect the efforts of Japan and Singapore to deepen economic relations throughout ASEAN.
The main discussion topics were:
- • Promotion of startups and the establishment of an ecosystem
- • Advanced supply chain in the digital age
- • Cooperation in the digital economy
Additionally, during the dialogue, the "ASEAN-Japan Fast Track Initiative" was announced as part of accelerating open innovation for Japanese companies and startups overseas. As part of this initiative, the "Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch" event will be held.
Through this initiative, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation this year, we will work together with government agencies in each ASEAN country to promote open innovation creation through collaboration between startups and large companies from both ASEAN and Japan, towards new innovation creation with ASEAN countries.
At the 1st Fast Track Pitch event, a total of 8 Japanese companies and Singapore-based global companies will set challenges tailored to their open innovation creation needs as challenge owners, and solicit proposals from startups to solve these challenges.
For more information on each challenge, please refer to the Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event.
- Japan-Singapore Economic Dialogue Held (English) (LINK)
- Joint media statement (English) (LINK)
- METI launches “ASEAN-Japan Co-Creation Fast Track Initiative” to accelerate global open innovation of Japanese companies/startups (English) (LINK)
Updates of Japanese leaders
■ Minister Nishimura's Visit to Malaysia
On December 28, 2022, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Nishimura visited Malaysia and held talks with Y.B.Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of International Trade and Industry, on bilateral cooperation including aviation and other areas, trade policies such as CPTPP and RCEP, and promoting cooperation to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN friendship and cooperation.
In addition, he held talks with Y.B.Rafizi Ramli, Minister of Economy, on cooperation in the energy sector including the "Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC)" concept and stable supply of LNG.
He also visited Toyota's Bukit Raja plant, which has introduced advanced production technology, and exchanged opinions with Mr. Kojima, President of the Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry, Malaysia (JACTIM), and other local Japanese business representatives on the current status of Japanese companies' activities in Malaysia and the future development of Malaysia-Japan economic relations.
- Minister Nishimura Visits Malaysia (English) (LINK)
■ Meeting between Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura and Minister of Industry of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit.
On January 13, 2023, Minister Nishimura met with Thailand's Minister of Industry, H.E. Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, and exchanged views on strengthening supply chains, nurturing startups that drive new businesses, smart security, and the production and utilization of hydrogen, among other topics. They confirmed their commitment to deepening the cooperation relationship between the two countries in a wide range of fields.
- Minister Nishimura Holds a Meeting with H.E. Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Minister of Industry, the Kingdom of Thailand (English) (LINK)
■ Japan-Philippines Summit Meeting
On February 9, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida held a summit meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Republic of the Philippines at the Prime Minister's Office to discuss various topics including the economy, security and defense, and people-to-people exchanges.
- Japan-Philippines Summit Meeting (English) (LINK)
Editorial Note
