Keizai Koho Center invited ASEAN journalists to Japan to promote mutual understanding between ASEAN and Japan. This year’s program focused on Japan-ASEAN cooperation to achieve sustainable development.

Mr. Poramet Tangsathaporn, Reporter of The Bangkok Post, Mr. Kharishar Kahfi, Editor of Jakarta Post and Ms. Dinh Thi Mai Linh, News Reporter of Viet Nam News participated in this year’s program. The journalists visited corporations, including Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, ITOCHU Corporation, AEON Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. They met with Dr, Yasuyuki Todo, Professor of the Faculty of Political Science and Economics of Waseda University, Mr. Masafumi Ishii, former Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia, and Mr. Tatsuo Fukuda, Member of the House of Representatives. They also had an opportunity to visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At Kokushikan University, they participated in a symposium and over 200 students attended（Kokushikan University Website).

On July 19, the program ended with a symposium titled “Japan-ASEAN Cooperation to Achieve Sustainable Development.” Mr. Walter Sim, Japan Correspondent of The Straits Times joined the three journalists as panelists.

Mr. Tangsathaporn talked about Thailand-Japan relations, shedding light upon recent shifts in Thai foreign policies, including Thailand’s moves to join BRICs and OECD and the “Ignite Thailand” vision which aims to attract foreign investment by building itself into a regional hub in eight important industries. He also expressed Thailand’s need for Japanese investment in digital and green technology.

Mr. Kahfi spoke on Indonesia-Japan relations and stressed that future relations must evolve in a sustainable way. With the hope to develop clean energy and clean technology, Indonesia would greatly appreciate the transfer of technology, grants, and soft loans in those areas, he said. Mr. Kahfi also referred to the “ongoing success story” of the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) as an example of good prospects for future relations with Japan.

Ms. Linh spoke on the relations between Vietnam and Japan, emphasizing “cooperation towards a green future.” Vietnam is trying to engage deeply into the global value chain, she explained. With the goal of becoming a chip-making hub of the region, Vietnam is actively attracting FDI for the semiconductor industry and other high-tech industries while developing human resources for them, she said. Ms. Linh also foregrounded the Vietnamese government’s focus on accelerating institutional reforms and “improving the investment climate” as reasons for Japan to continue investing in Vietnam.

Mr. Sim mentioned the similarities between Japan and Singapore, stating that they are both “island countries with limited resources,” and the necessity those bring for the two countries to learn from each other in the energy sector, as well as in social issues such as low fertility rates and ageing. He also stressed that the two countries are reliable partners that respect the rule of law.

The symposium also included a keynote presentation on the past, present and future of Japan-ASEAN relations by Mr. Toru Takahashi, Senior Editorial Writer and Senior Staff Writer of Nikkei Inc., who was the moderator of the symposium. He stated that in order for Japan to be considered an “indispensable partner” by ASEAN countries, it is important for Japan to achieve strong economic growth again. Japan should have a strong will to achieve this and a firm determination to reform, and that is what will lead to ASEAN-Japan coexistence and co-prosperity, he said.

The symposium ended with a Q&A session from the audience, touching upon topics such as the challenges of investing in ASEAN countries.