Greetings from DISG Secretariat
Dear Readers,
As we approach the end of 2025, ASEAN-Japan collaborations continue to thrive, building on the achievements of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations. These partnerships remain a driving force for economic growth, innovation, and sustainability across the region. We are deeply grateful for your continued support which plays a vital role in the success of these efforts.
In this edition, we highlight the key outcomes of the 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit, where leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in critical areas such as maritime security, digitalization, green technologies, and supply chain resilience. Following the summit, Prime Minister Takaichi emphasized the strengthening of the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" and other key areas, noting that a solid foundation of trust for future cooperation had been established. We also feature Prime Minister Takaichi's reflections on recent bilateral meetings and efforts to further enhance Japan's relations with ASEAN, shared through interviews.
Including these highlights, this volume covers 6 topics as follows:
- • Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch 2025
- • Report on Carbon Market Development
- • 3rd AZEC Ministerial Meeting
- • 3rd AZEC Leaders Meeting
- • 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit
- • Prime Minister Takaichi’s Recent Diplomatic Activities
Best regards,
Masuo Kuremura
DISG Task Force Chair
Executive Director, JETRO Singapore
Special Advisor to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch 2025 Kicks Off
METI and JETRO have announced that the Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch 2025 will kick off next year’s ASEAN-Japan Fast Track Pitch series. Established in 2023 to mark 50 years of ASEAN-Japan cooperation, the initiative aims to accelerate open innovation and co-creation between Japanese and ASEAN companies. So far, more than 2,650 participants—from startups to major corporations—have taken part.
For the 2025 Singapore edition, seven Singapore-based companies have published innovation challenges and are now accepting proposals from around the world until 25 November. Selected finalists will present their ideas at the pitch event scheduled for 14 January 2026 in Singapore.
■ Challenge Owner Companies and Challenges
- Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch 2025 to Be Held as the First Event of ASEAN-JAPAN Fast Track Pitch 2025 (English) (LINK)
AZEC Releases Outcome Report on Carbon Market Development
ERIA has published the outcome report from this year’s AZEC meetings on carbon market development. The report brings together discussions from the May and August sessions—co-hosted by METI and Japan’s Ministry of the Environment—as well as earlier AZEC-JCM dialogues held through 2024.
The meetings focused on two key priorities: improving supply-chain-wide visibility of greenhouse gas emissions and advancing high-integrity carbon markets in the region. Updates covered initiatives such as PaSTI, emerging private-sector emission calculation services, and growing moves toward carbon pricing across Asia, including progress on Japan’s GX-ETS.
Participants also highlighted the need to strengthen Article-6-aligned registry systems, expand cooperation through the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), and develop new methodologies such as CCS. Discussions further addressed how to harmonize diverse national systems and deepen regional collaboration under the AZEC framework.
- Report on the International Conference on Carbon Market Development in the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) has been published (Japanese) (LINK)
Japan Co-hosts the 3rd AZEC Ministerial Meeting
From October 16–18, Minister Muto visited Kuala Lumpur and co-hosted the Third Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting with the Malaysian government. Representatives from all 11 partner countries and international organizations participated.
■ Key Outcomes of the Ministerial Meeting
Japan reported progress made over the past year, including work on transition finance, project advancements, and strengthened working-level dialogues. Partner countries shared updates on their pathways to net-zero, addressing policies for the power, transport, and industry sectors. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a joint statement reflecting the achievements over the past year.
■ Expansion of AZEC Cooperation
Ahead of the meeting, around 50 new MOUs related to energy transition were confirmed, bringing the total number of AZEC projects to about 540. METI also signed a CCS cooperation MOU with Malaysia and an energy collaboration MOU with the Philippines.
■ Bilateral Meetings
Minister Muto met with Malaysian and Philippine counterparts, confirming cooperation in hydrogen, green technologies, CCS, and preparations for next year’s AZEC agenda.
■ Business & Public-Private Dialogues
The AZEC Business Forum also took place, gathering over 300 business leaders to discuss regional power grid development, sustainable biofuels, and transition finance. The event featured the launch of reports by ADB-ERIA-METI and the IEA.
■ CEFIA Forum
In addition, the 8th CEFIA Government-Private Forum convened to review flagship decarbonization projects and discuss future public-private collaboration. The AZEC Advocacy Group also held a ceremony to present its joint recommendation for accelerating decarbonization efforts under the AZEC framework.
- Minister Muto Visits Malaysia and Co-hosts the Third AZEC Ministerial Meeting with the Malaysian Government (English) (LINK)
The 3rd AZEC Leaders Meeting
Prime Minister Takaichi chaired the 3rd Asia Zero-Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders Meeting on October 26 in Kuala Lumpur, together with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar. Prime Minister Anwar highlighted ASEAN countries’ initiatives aligned with AZEC and expressed expectations for advancing tangible cooperation projects.
The leaders reviewed progress made since last year, confirming that around 120 cooperation projects have been developed among Japan and the AZEC partner countries. Japan also reported outcomes from the 3rd AZEC Ministerial Meeting held earlier in the week.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of the AZEC Leaders’ Joint Statement and an accompanying progress document for 2024–2025, reaffirming the importance of AZEC principles and the need to accelerate decarbonization efforts during this critical decade.
- The 3rd Asia Zero-Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders Meeting (English) (LINK)
The 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit
Prime Minister Takaichi attended the 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit on October 26 in Kuala Lumpur. She expressed condolences to Thailand, thanked Malaysia for its leadership as ASEAN Chair, and recognized Singapore’s role as Country Coordinator. She also congratulated Timor-Leste on its accession to ASEAN and welcomed the joint statement reaffirming cooperation between FOIP and AOIP.
■ Progress in Japan-ASEAN Cooperation
Prime Minister Takaichi outlined progress under the three pillars of the 2023 Joint Vision Statement.
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- Peace & Stability
Support for maritime security, disaster response, cybersecurity capacity building, and measures against transnational crime. -
- Co-creation of the Future
Cooperation in AI, digitalization, green initiatives including decarbonization, supply chain resilience, and agriculture. She also proposed launching the Japan–ASEAN AI Co-creation Initiative and highlighted collaboration in cutting-edge fields such as quantum and semiconductors. -
- People-to-People Exchange
Continued implementation of the WA Project, JENESYS, the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program, and new initiatives involving Timor-Leste.
ASEAN leaders welcomed Prime Minister Takaichi’s appointment, praised Japan’s longstanding cooperation, and expressed strong expectations for deeper collaboration in digital and green technologies.
■ Regional and International Issues
Leaders exchanged views on key regional and global issues, including below.
- - Maritime security and the South China Sea
- - Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait
- - North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs
- - The situation in Myanmar
- - Developments in the Middle East
- - Russia’s aggression against Ukraine
Prime Minister Takaichi emphasized the importance of the rule of law, peaceful dispute resolution, denuclearization, humanitarian assistance, and coordinated international responses.
- The 28th ASEAN Japan Summit (English) (LINK)
Prime Minister Takaichi’s Recent Diplomatic Activities:
ASEAN, AZEC, and APEC
Prime Minister Takaichi spoke to the press outlining Japan’s diplomatic direction in relation to the ASEAN-related Summit Meetings, the AZEC Leaders Meeting, and her participation in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. The following is a summary of the key points she conveyed during these interviews.
■ Japan’s Approach to ASEAN and AZEC
In her remarks before departing for Malaysia—her first overseas trip as Prime Minister—Prime Minister Takaichi emphasized that ASEAN remains central to Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” vision. She explained that Japan intended to advance cooperation in maritime security, AI, and economic partnership while further building trust with leaders of ASEAN member states.
She also outlined her planned bilateral meetings with the leaders of the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, Viet Nam, and Cambodia, noting that these engagements would help establish a broad foundation for future cooperation.
■ Outcomes from ASEAN and AZEC Engagements
Reflecting on her meetings in Malaysia, Prime Minister Takaichi noted that she was able to clearly communicate Japan’s FOIP initiatives and strengthen relationships with many regional leaders through bilateral and informal discussions.
At the 3rd AZEC Leaders Meeting—co-chaired with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar—she confirmed progress on approximately 120 cooperation projects that have advanced over the past year. She highlighted that participating leaders reaffirmed the importance of promoting decarbonization, economic growth, and energy security in tandem.
She described the ASEAN- and AZEC-related engagements as highly meaningful in reinforcing Japan’s partnerships and creating momentum for Japan’s future economic development.
Prime Minister Takaichi also noted that she held a phone call with President Trump the previous night and that he was scheduled to visit Japan the following day, expressing her intention to further strengthen the Japan–U.S. alliance. Regarding China, she stated that a meeting was not possible this time due to scheduling constraints but emphasized that opportunities for dialogue would continue to be pursued.
■ Priorities for APEC and Regional Economic Cooperation
Before departing for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Korea, Prime Minister Takaichi explained that Japan intended to present its views not only on trade and investment but also on emerging issues such as AI and demographic change. Japan, she said, aims to contribute actively to strong and sustainable economic growth across the region. She added that her first summit meeting with the President of Korea was planned during the visit. The Prime Minister expressed her intention to build on the diplomatic momentum gained through her ASEAN and AZEC engagements as Japan moves into the APEC discussions.
- Press Conference on Attending the APEC Summit and Other Events (Japanese) (LINK)
- Press Conference on Attending ASEAN-Related Summit Meetings, etc. (Japanese) (LINK)
- Press Conference on Attending ASEAN-Related Summit Meetings, etc. (Japanese) (LINK)
Editorial Note
