Greetings from DISG Secretariat
Dear Readers,
Hello, everyone. I am Masuo Kuremura, Chair of the DISG. On July 8, the first in-person DISG meeting was held in Bangkok, bringing together representatives from ASEAN countries. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the national representatives for joining us. We had some excellent discussions. We were honored to welcome Professor Pavida from the Department of International Business, Thammasat Business School, and Analyst Okuyama from ERIA as guest speakers.
In my opening remarks, I emphasized that, amid growing uncertainty in the global economy, cooperation based on trust and a rules-based framework between Japan and ASEAN is becoming increasingly important. Furthermore, while various intergovernmental channels already exist, we are now entering a phase where we must translate these channels into concrete action. We reached a consensus that DISG will serve as a bridge for public-private collaboration, advancing specific public-private partnership projects focused on four key areas: 1) supply chain resilience, 2) innovation, 3) AI and digital technology, and 4) energy transition.
Professor Pavida spoke about how, as the global economy shifts from efficiency to resilience and autonomy, it is crucial for ASEAN to move away from a business model of simply processing low-cost goods for sale in European and American markets, and instead to advance the sophistication of its domestic industries and consume those advanced products and applications within ASEAN's own markets.
Analyst Okuyama from ERIA introduced discussions regarding ERIA's role as a policy think tank—particularly concerning ASEAN's joint stockpiling initiative following the Hormuz Crisis—and proposed that ERIA make policy recommendations at future AZEC ministerial meetings. He further suggested that ERIA expand its role beyond policy recommendations to serve as a "Do-Tank," a platform for startups in digital and CN technologies, thereby becoming a foundation for Japan-ASEAN innovation.
Representatives from various countries also expressed high expectations that DISG would serve as the foundation for advancing concrete private-sector projects, and that, since excessive competition within ASEAN is counterproductive, ERIA should take the lead in compiling industrial roadmaps. Based on this mapping analysis of the industrial autonomy of each ASEAN country, a wide range of opinions was expressed, including the need for Japan and ASEAN to coordinate industrial policies to advance the industrial development of each nation.
Finally, we were able to compile our first-ever Joint Statement on Policy Recommendations. The recommendations consist of five pillars (I-V), which will be compiled and submitted at the Japan-ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting to be held in Manila in September.
I would like to thank everyone for the excellent discussions we were able to have during this in-person meeting. I hope to make this a year in which we further translate Japan-ASEAN economic cooperation into action, with DISG serving as its core.
Best regards,
Masuo Kuremura
DISG Task Force Chair
Executive Director, JETRO Singapore
Special Advisor to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Visits Japan
● Official Working Visit and Summit Meeting
H.E. Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, paid an Official Working Visit to Japan from June 8 to June 10, 2026. During his visit, he held a Summit Meeting with Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, to further deepen the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two nations. Japan and Malaysia are "Comprehensive Strategic Partners" that share fundamental values and principles. Prime Minister Anwar also attended the Nikkei Forum 31st "Future of Asia". This visit marked his third visit to Japan as Prime Minister since taking office in 2022, following his prior visits in December 2023 and May 2024.
● Signing of LOI on Energy Cooperation
Following the visit, on June 15, 2026, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan and the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) of Malaysia signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on cooperation in the fields of energy security and energy transition. This cooperative effort is established under the framework of the "Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia (POWERR Asia)". The division in charge of this cooperation is the International Affairs Division, Commissioner’s Secretariat, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy.
- Visit to Japan of Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar (English) (LINK)
- METI and Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation of Malaysia Sign Letter of Intent on Cooperation in Energy Security and Energy Transition (English) (LINK)
Japan-Laos Summit Meeting
On June 10, 2026, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Sonexay SIPHANDONE, Prime Minister of Laos, who was visiting Japan, for approximately 30 minutes. Under the Japan-Laos "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Prime Minister Takaichi expressed her desire to work together to make the region stronger and more prosperous toward the realization of the updated "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)".
● Strengthening Resilience and Supporting POWERR Asia
Prime Minister Takaichi stated that Japan intends to promote various bilateral cooperation, including human resource development and the security field, to strengthen Laos's "freedom to decide for themselves" and "resilience". In response, Prime Minister Sonexay highly valued the bilateral exchanges, expressed his gratitude for Japan's continuous support for the socio-economic development of Laos, and voiced his support for the "Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia (POWERR Asia)" recently launched by Prime Minister Takaichi. Both leaders concurred on promoting cooperation to strengthen regional energy and resource security, alongside the resilience of supply chains.
- Japan-Laos Summit Meeting (LINK)
Japan-Thailand Foreign Ministers' Meeting
On June 12, 2026, Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu met with Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak PHUANGKETKEOW to strengthen bilateral partnerships, support regional energy initiatives, and coordinate on key international affairs.
● Bilateral Relations and FOIP
Minister Motegi conveyed condolences on the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha. Looking ahead to the 140th anniversary of Japan-Thailand diplomatic relations next year, the two ministers agreed to work further to strengthen their "Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership" and cooperate to enhance the resilience and "freedom to decide for themselves" of regional countries under the updated FOIP.
● Promoting Technology, Security, and POWERR Asia
Minister Motegi stated that Japan intends to promote cooperation across a wide range of fields, including science and technology and security, built upon strong bilateral economic ties. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak expressed support for the "Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience (POWERR Asia)" and expressed his intention to promote cooperation with Japan in various fields, including AI. The ministers also concurred on promoting cooperation to strengthen regional energy and resource supply chains.
● Regional and International Affairs
The foreign ministers exchanged views and reaffirmed close coordination on key issues, including the situations in the East and South China Seas, Myanmar, the Cambodia border, the Middle East, and North Korea (including the nuclear, missile, and abductions issues).
- Japan-Thailand Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (LINK)
Japan-Thailand Energy Policy Dialogue
On June 29, 2026, Japan and Thailand held their 8th Energy Policy Dialogue in Tokyo to deepen collaboration under AZEC and POWERR Asia, welcome three new cooperative agreements, and inspect local carbon recycling facilities.
● Focus on AZEC and Stockpiling Systems
Co-chaired by Mr. Kihara Shinichi, Director-General for Energy and Environment Policy, METI, and H.E. Dr. Prasert Sinsukprasert, Permanent Secretary of MOEN, both sides confirmed cooperation under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) platform. They exchanged opinions on energy security and policies—including efforts in CCUS, hydrogen/ammonia, LNG, renewable energy, biofuels, and energy conservation. Under the POWERR Asia framework, they concurred on strengthening concrete cooperation to develop a national stockpiling system in Thailand.
● Three MOUs Welcomed
The dialogue welcomed three cooperative memoranda of understanding (MOUs) toward energy source diversification:
- EGAT and Tokyo Gas Asia: "Memorandum of Understanding in Relation to the Development of Cooperation on Potential Low Carbon Fuel Development in Thailand".
- EGAT and JERA: "Memorandum of Understanding with EGAT to Collaborate on Hydrogen and Ammonia Value Chain Development in Thailand".
- Memorandum of Understanding on the Test Project of 30% Palm-Derived FAME Blended Diesel for Promoting Biodiesel in Thailand (To be signed).
● CCUS Site Visit
On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, participants visited CCUS facilities owned by Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd. and TAISEI CORPORATION in Taisho-ku, Osaka Prefecture, observing an artificial limestone production system and CO2 fixation initiatives.
- The 8th Japan-Thailand Energy Policy Dialogue Held (LINK)
Japan-Thailand MOC on LEO Satellites
● Signing Ceremony
On Wednesday, June 24, in Bangkok, Mr. MATSUO Takehiko, Vice-Minister for International Affairs of METI, and Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of Thailand’s MHESI, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to conduct Japan-Thailand joint studies on low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellations. The signing ceremony was held at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan to Thailand, witnessed by MHESI Minister Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat and Japanese Ambassador Mr. OTAKA Masato.
● Joint Study Focus
Under the MOC, METI and MHESI will collaborate with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), and relevant industry stakeholders. LEO satellite constellations serve as a critical foundation for supporting people’s daily lives, industry, and security. The study will explore utilizing Japanese technologies to contribute to Thailand, aiming to foster concrete cooperation.
- METI Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) of the Kingdom of Thailand on Low-Earth-Orbit Satellite Constellations (LINK)
Meeting with Viet Nam Deputy PM
On June 10, 2026, Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu met with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau to discuss strategic partnerships, economic security cooperation, and key regional challenges.
● Partnership and FOIP
Minister Motegi stated that Japan and Viet Nam would work together to further strengthen their "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" and realize a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP). Deputy Prime Minister Chau welcomed the recent success of Prime Minister Ms. TAKAICHI’s visit to Viet Nam and expressed his intent to follow up on its outcomes.
● Economic Security and Manga Piracy Measures
The two sides concurred on strengthening cooperation in various fields, including the economy, economic security including rare earth elements, and people-to-people exchanges. In this context, Minister Motegi called on Viet Nam to take measures against websites offering pirated manga.
● Regional Coordination
They confirmed continued coordination on key issues in the Indo-Pacific, including the situations in the East and South China Seas, Myanmar, and North Korea (including the nuclear, missile, and abductions issues).
- Foreign Minister MOTEGI’s Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Chau of Viet Nam (LINK)
Editorial Note
