Greetings from DISG Secretariat
Dear Readers,
Happy New Year 2024. We would like to wish you all a prosperous new year filled with success and happiness. Last year concluded eventfully with several blissful activities between ASEAN and Japan, may they continue for this year and on as well, strengthening the tie further and beyond.
Starting the first volume of the year, we’d like to report on the great celebration of the relationship between ASEAN and Japan in December, “the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation”, which had been the subject throughout 2023. The summit and related-events were attended gracefully by the leaders of the ASEAN countries, hosted by Prime Minister Kishida of Japan, celebrating the relationship for the past 50 years between ASEAN and Japan, while further strengthening the bond for the next 50 years to come.
Along with the aforementioned topic, this volume will cover 4 topics as follow;
- • Report on Events and Activities in the Commemorative Summit for the “50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation”
- • Report on “Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting”
- • Announcement of the Result of the 2nd Round of the “4th Call for Applicants under the Japan-ASEAN Asia Digital Transformation (ADX) Promotion Program”
- • Diplomatic Updates by Prime Minister Kishida
Best regards,
ISHIKAWA Hiroshi
Chair of DISG Task Force
Executive Director, JETRO Singapore
Special Advisor to Minister, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan
Report on Events and Activities in the Commemorative Summit for the “50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation”
From December 16 to December 18, 2023, Japan hosted the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit marking the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, including special summit meetings and related events.
In this historical moment, the leaders of ASEAN countries and their partners visited Japan, Prime Minister Kishida co-chaired the special summit together with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, issuing a joint statement outlining a new vision for the future, as well as a wide range of concrete measures to further strengthen Japan-ASEAN relations. Moreover, to take advantage of this opportunity, bilateral summit meetings, a banquet and gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister and Mrs. Kishida, an Asian Zero Emission Community Summit, and a luncheon jointly sponsored by Keidanren and Nissho were held in this occasion. The following is the summary of the activities on each day.
■ First Day
On December 16, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida hosted a banquet with Mrs. Kishida at the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace, on the occasion of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.
Prime Minister Kishida delivered an opening speech, welcoming the prestige guests and expressing his honor to be hosting the honorable event. He then proposed the 3 concrete measures to take the ASEAN-Japan relations to new heights for the next 50 years, including; 1) Heart-to-Heart Partners across Generations, 2) Partners for Co-creation of Economy and Society of the Future, and 3) Partners for Peace and Stability, and concluded his speech with a toast.
On the same day, Prime Minister Kishida held a summit meeting and an exchange of notes ceremony with Y.A.B. Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia at the Prime Minister’s Office, followed by a summit-level working lunch with His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam (concurrently serving as the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance and Economy, and Minister of Foreign Affairs).
The Prime Minister then held summit meetings with H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, H.E. Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, and H.E. Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, respectively.
Afterwards, the Prime Minister held an exchange of notes ceremony and a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, followed by a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia. The two leaders then received proposals from the ASEAN-Japan Young Business Leaders’ Summit and Generation Z Business Leaders’ Summit and held an exchange of notes ceremony.
■ Second Day
On December 17, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida attended the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation held in Tokyo.
The Prime Minister attended Session 1 on “Review of ASEAN-Japan relations” and “Partners for Peace and Stability & Regional and International Issues” and Session 2 on “Heart-to-Heart Partners across Generations” and “Partners for Co-creation of Economy and Society of the Future”. Afterwards, the Prime Minister held a joint press announcement.
On the same day, Prime Minister Kishida held a Summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Kingdom of Thailand.
The Prime Minister then held a Summit meeting H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines, which was followed by a ceremony for the exchange of notes signed between the two countries.
In the evening, Prime Minister Kishida attended the Commemorative Ceremony for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation held in Tokyo, and hosted a gala dinner.
■ Third Day
On December 18, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida held a Summit meeting with Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, which was followed by a ceremony for the exchange of notes signed between the two countries.
Lastly, regarding the ASEAN-Japan 50th Year of Friendship and Cooperation Special Summit Meeting and the AZEC Summit Meeting, Prime Minister Kishida also held a press conference, addressing his enthusiasm towards the events and desire to exchange frank opinions with the ASEAN leaders, and to grow together to achieve peace and prosperity.
- 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Initiatives by the Prime Minister (English) (LINK)
- About the Opening of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation (Japanese) (LINK)
- Summit Meetings with the Leaders of Countries Participating in the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation: First Day (English) (LINK)
- The Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation: Banquet hosted by Prime Minister KISHIDA and Mrs. KISHIDA (English) (LINK)
- The Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation (English) (LINK)
- Summit Meetings with the Leaders of Countries Participating in the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation: Second Day (English) (LINK)
- The Commemorative Ceremony for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation (English) (LINK)
- Summit Meetings with the Leaders of Countries Participating in the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation: Third Day (English) (LINK)
- Press conference regarding the Japan-ASEAN 50th Anniversary of Friendship and Cooperation Special Summit Meeting and the AZEC Summit Meeting, etc. (Japanese) (LINK)
Report on “Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting”
On December 18, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida held the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The AZEC Leaders’ Joint Statement that indicates AZEC principles as well as direction of cooperation was adopted at the Meeting. After the Meeting, the Prime Minister participated in the Commemorative photo session on the release of a joint statement regarding support for the AZEC platform and the launch of the “AZEC Advocacy Group” with President Joko of the Republic of Indonesia.
Prime Minister Kishida addressed in his opening remarks, as follows:
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• Prime Minister Kishida greeted and expressed his honor to hold the memorable first AZEC (Asia Zero Emission Community) Leaders Meeting, and emphasized on the importance of achieving a common goal of “net-zero emissions through various pathways” and of a triple breakthrough of simultaneously achieving “decarbonization, economic growth, and energy security”.
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• He further mentioned about decarbonization as a common challenge for Asia, and that innovation is key to providing solutions. Japan will take the lead in developing new technologies and legal systems to accelerate the introduction of next-generation GX (Green Transformation) technologies such as perovskite solar cells, offshore wind, hydrogen and CCS.
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• The “Asia Zero Emission Center”, to be set up in ERIA, will serve as a platform to share Japan’s technologies and experiences with partners in Asia. Japan will promote policy coordination, including developing roadmaps towards decarbonization and conducting studies on policy development, and will also coordinate support in terms of technology, finance and human resources, including through JBIC, NEXI, and ODA, as well as through utilizing JCM (Joint Crediting Mechanism).
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• Furthermore, he stated that collaboration among business entities is being materialized. Currently, more than 350 tangible projects are under way between AZEC partners and Japanese companies. For instance, through the development of zero emission industrial parks, Japan will transform Asia into a major hub for green supply chains. Japan welcomes the launch of the “AZEC Advocacy Group” consisting of ASEAN Business Advisory Council and Keidanren, as a forum to foster such cooperation activities.
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• In order to achieve decarbonization throughout Asia, it is said that 4,000 trillion yen of finance would be necessary. The launch of AZEC will create a new, large decarbonization market in Asia that will attract capital from around the world. Next February, Japan will issue the world’s first “climate transition bond” in the order of 1.6 trillion yen. Using this as a catalyst, Japan will support activities including coordination between the private sector and regulatory authorities of each country, to advance concrete actions.
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• He concluded that AZEC is a platform where partners take actions together towards sustainable growth, and that Japan looks forward to collaborating with all countries that share the principles of AZEC.
- Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting (English) (LINK)
Announcement of the Result of the 2nd Round of the “4th Call for Applicants under the Japan-ASEAN Asia Digital Transformation (ADX) Promotion Program”
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced 14 successful applicants who passed the 2nd round of the 4th call for the Japan-ASEAN Asia Digital Transformation (ADX) Promotion Program.
■ Background
As the economies of ASEAN countries develop, these countries face a variety of social challenges, notable ones being inadequate medical care, declining birthrates, aging populations, and the need to increase agricultural productivity. But at the same time, businesses that use digital technology to solve these challenges are beginning to emerge. More and more of these businesses are expected to be created in order to solve these challenges and simultaneously contribute to economic growth. To that end, the ADX Promotion Program has been supporting co-creation projects between ASEAN and Japanese companies to conduct demonstration projects toward contributing to solving socio-economic challenges in ASEAN countries by utilizing innovative approaches, such as digital technologies, while leveraging the technology, knowledge and other advantages that Japanese companies possess.
■ Result of 2nd round
The 4th call for applicants was opened by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in April 2023. There were 35 applications submitted from the closing date of the 1st round to the closing date of the 2nd round of the call. The applications were examined, and as a result, 14 were adopted from a wide range of fields, including medical and nursing care, and transportation and mobility. For the details of each applicant, click here (Japanese).
- Announcement of the Result of the 2nd Round of the 4th Call for Applicants under the Japan-ASEAN Asia Digital Transformation (ADX) Promotion Program (English) (LINK)
Diplomatic Updates by Prime Minister Kishida
■ Video Message by Prime Minister Kishida at the ASEAN-Japan Young Business Leaders’ Summit 2023
On December 14, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio delivered his opening remarks in a video message at the ASEAN-Japan Young Business Leaders’ Summit 2023. The details are as follows;
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• Prime Minister Kishida expressed his honor to have members of the business communities of both Japan and ASEAN gathered in Japan, especially in this commemorative 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, and stated that for the past 50 years and for the next 50 years, ASEAN will continue to be a true friend to Japan.
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• Since assuming office as Prime Minister, he has officially visited a number of ASEAN countries, and has felt the depth of the shared business ties and the strength of our people-to-people connections that go beyond business.
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• He stated that the key concept for the next 50 years is Co-Creation, in which ASEAN and Japan leverage their respective strengths to create the future together. He believes that this future can only be forged based on the trust that has been cultivated over the long history of ASEAN-Japan relations, and it is of great significance that the leading members of these business communities have also gathered here to enhance the “relationship of trust” on the occasion of the meeting in Tokyo of the leaders of ASEAN and Japan to discuss the next 50 years.
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• Prime Minister Kishida underlined that, the dynamic young leaders of ASEAN and Japan will join hands to achieve sustainable growth together. Both will leverage their strengths to jointly create a bright future. He is fully confident that both parties can achieve the bright future. Today’s leaders’ summit has brought together Japanese youth who are as energetic as their ASEAN counterparts, and he expects the leaders to engage in enthusiastic discussions and realize a strong proposal for the future together.
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• In closing, he expressed his best wishes for this Summit to be a foundation for building friendship between ASEAN and Japan for the next 50 years, and for the health and success of all gathered.
- Video Message by Prime Minister Kishida at the ASEAN-Japan Young Business Leaders’ Summit 2023 (English) (LINK)
■ Video Message by Prime Minister Kishida at the ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Forum
On December 16, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio delivered his opening remarks in a video message at the ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Forum. The details are as follows;
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• Prime Minister Kishida expressed his honor to have members of the business communities of both Japan and ASEAN gathered in Japan, especially in this commemorative 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, and stated that for the past 50 years and for the next 50 years, ASEAN will continue to be a true friend to Japan.
-
• Since assuming office as Prime Minister, he has officially visited a number of ASEAN countries, and has felt the depth of the shared business ties and the strength of our people-to-people connections that go beyond business.
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• He stated that the key concept for the next 50 years is Co-Creation, in which ASEAN and Japan leverage their respective strengths to create the future together. He believes that this future can only be forged based on the trust that has been cultivated over the long history of ASEAN-Japan relations, and it is of great significance that the leading members of these business communities have also gathered here to enhance the “relationship of trust” on the occasion of the meeting in Tokyo of the leaders of ASEAN and Japan to discuss the next 50 years.
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• Prime Minister Kishida highlighted that the discussion of that day will include:
- ○ The Asia Zero Emission Community--AZEC platform to simultaneously achieve three goals; decarbonization, economic growth, and energy security;
- ○ Startups for solving social issues and creating innovations;
- ○ Promoting cooperation among major companies; and
- ○ Strengthening collaboration among the next generation of business leaders.
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• He said that Japan has decided to support the formation of business projects that will serve as flagships for ASEAN-Japan collaboration, and expected that today’s discussion will serve as a catalyst for co-creating innovations that will lead the way to the future.
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• In closing, he expressed his best wishes for this Summit to be a foundation for building friendship between ASEAN and Japan for the next 50 years, and for the health and success of all gathered.
- Video Message by Prime Minister Kishida at the ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Forum (English) (LINK)
Editorial Note
