Greetings from DISG Secretariat
Dear Readers,
I am Masuo Kuremura, Chair of DISG. February has already come to a close, and various initiatives are progressing across Japan and ASEAN. Following the first DISG meeting, we held individual online sessions for those who were unable to attend, discussing each country's specific concerns. The slightly different priorities in each country have led to truly interesting discussions.
From an innovation perspective, we held Fast Track Pitch Events: starting in Singapore, followed by Vietnam and Malaysia, and concluding with Indonesia on February 12th. Major corporations from each country presented various challenges related to social issues and improving corporate productivity. Startups responded with proposals for new applications, solutions using technology and business models, and new productivity enhancement support using AI digital solutions. These discussions have been highly engaging in each country. Going forward, we will continue building this innovation platform between Japan and ASEAN in this format.
Additionally, the first ASEANBAC meeting was held in Batangas on January 31st, where I participated in discussions representing both DISG and JETRO. As the Philippines holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year, I look forward to meeting many of you in various Philippine cities.
Meanwhile, following the recent elections in Japan, the Takaichi administration will continue to vigorously advance economic and industrial cooperation between Japan and ASEAN. I look forward to continuing our cooperation in various forms.
Best regards,
Masuo Kuremura
DISG Task Force Chair
Executive Director, JETRO Singapore
Special Advisor to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Report on “Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch 2025” in Singapore
On January 14, the "Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event 2025" was held in Singapore as the inaugural event of the year’s regional initiative. Co-organized by METI, JETRO, and Singaporean government agencies (MTI, EDB, and Enterprise Singapore), the event served as a high-impact platform to accelerate global open innovation.
● Vision
Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. AKAZAWA Ryosei (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan) and Dr. Tan See Leng (Minister for Manpower of Singapore), both emphasizing the strategic importance of bilateral innovation.
● Global Interest
The event received approximately 110 proposals from around the world. From this competitive pool, 20 finalists were selected to pitch their solutions to 7 Challenge Owner companies from Japan and Singapore.
● Engagement
The pitch session attracted roughly 250 participants (160 in-person and 90 online), showcasing the strong demand for a co-creation ecosystem between startups, SMEs, and large corporations.
This event marks the successful first step in the 2025-2026 series, fostering a new format of cooperation to drive regional technological advancement.
- Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event 2025 Held as the First Event of ASEAN-JAPAN Fast Track Pitch 2025 (English) (LINK)
Report on “Vietnam-Japan Fast Track Pitch 2025” in Vietnam
On January 27, the "Inno Vietnam-Japan Fast Track Pitch 2025" was held in Hanoi, marking the second major event of the year’s regional initiative. Co-organized by METI, JETRO, the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam, and the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC), the session focused on leveraging global innovation to solve local industrial challenges.
● Vision
Opening remarks were provided by Mr. Akazawa Ryosei (Minister of METI), Mr. Ito Naoki (Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam), and Mr. Do Tien Thinh (Deputy Director of NIC). They emphasized that deepening technological cooperation is essential for the future growth of both nations.
● Global Interest
The event received approximately 100 proposals from around the world. From these, 15 finalists were chosen to pitch their transformative solutions to 6 Challenge Owner companies from Japan and Vietnam.
● Engagement
The event hosted 186 participants (139 in-person and 47 online), showcasing the robust interest in Vietnam's rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem and the strong potential for co-creation.
This successful second milestone further paves the way for the upcoming events in Malaysia and Indonesia, reinforcing the ASEAN-Japan partnership.
- METI Holds the Inno Vietnam-Japan Fast Track Pitch 2025 as the Second Event of ASEAN-JAPAN Fast Track Pitch 2025 (English) (LINK)
Report on “Japan-Philippines Foreign Ministers’ Meeting”
On January 15, a landmark meeting between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro in Manila signaled a profound deepening of the strategic partnership between the two nations. This visit was particularly symbolic, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations and the Philippines’ pivotal role as the 2026 ASEAN Chair.
A New Era of Security Cooperation
A cornerstone of the discussion was the significant expansion of bilateral security ties. The ministers signed the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), a move that completes a robust defense framework alongside the existing Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA). In a global first, they also exchanged notes for the construction of maritime facilities under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) program—the first-ever infrastructure project of its kind. These measures reflect a shared resolve to maintain a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP) based on the rule of law, ensuring maritime safety and regional deterrence.
Driving Economic Resilience and Connectivity
The dialogue also prioritized economic security, addressing the urgent need to diversify supply chains for critical minerals. Both nations pledged to deepen cooperation in this field, creating a more resilient industrial base for the future. Japan further reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the Philippines' growth through major infrastructure investments, including the Metro Manila Subway and the North-South Commuter Railway. Beyond physical connectivity, both ministers confirmed continued collaboration in the fields of civil nuclear energy and the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) platform, positioning the partnership at the heart of the region's energy transition.
A Unified Vision for the Future
Concluding the meeting, Minister Motegi underscored Japan’s full support for the Philippines’ ASEAN leadership. By reinforcing Japan-US-Philippines trilateral cooperation, both nations aim to ensure regional unity and counter unilateral attempts to change the status quo. As 2026 marks seven decades of friendship, this strategic dialogue has set a clear course for a year of "passionate progress" and shared prosperity across the region.
- Japan-Philippines Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Working Brunch (LINK)
Editorial Note
