Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida Visits the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

1. 30th AEM-METI Consultation

On September 21, the 30th AEM-METI Consultation was held. Participants held discussions on the progress made in the ASEAN-Japan economic cooperation activities over the past year. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida explained the revised Future Design and Action Plan, which was formulated by the Governments of Japan and ASEAN member countries to realize the ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Vision established in 2023. He also presented a briefing on Japan's proposal for formulating an AI Innovation Co-Creation Roadmap, which is a vision for implementing AI between Japan and the ASEAN region.

Moreover, he stated that Japan will enrich discussions on important common topics between Japan and the ASEAN region, taking advantage of an ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Forum scheduled to be held in Tokyo in December 2024.

ASEAN member countries agreed on the revision of the Action Plan and some ASEAN countries stated that they welcome the proposal for an AI Innovation Co-Creation Roadmap.

In addition, representatives of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) held presentations on an interim report on the ASEAN-Japan Master Plan for the Next-Generation Automotive Industry as well as on a progress report on the ERIA Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC).

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida expressed the importance of realizing the production and exports of a diverse range of vehicles, from hybrid vehicles to electric vehicles, in the ASEAN region, and indicated his anticipation for ERIA’s support in formulating the AI Innovation Co-Creation Roadmap.

In addition, ASEAN member countries expressed their gratitude for ERIA’s activities and also stated the importance of striking a balance between enhancing competitiveness and sustainability in the field of automobiles.

Following the meeting, a joint media statement was issued based on the discussion results.

2. 12th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers Meeting (EAS-EMM)

On September 21, the 12th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers' Meeting was held, bringing together the economic ministers of ASEAN member countries, Japan, China, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, the United States, and Russia. Participants held discussions on the economic conditions and economic development in the East Asian region.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida expressed his concerns regarding Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the situation in Myanmar, and also stated the points that need to be addressed in order to achieve global economic development, such as an indispensable need to ensure free and fair-trade systems in which rules are observed, and regional cooperation undertaken by Japan and ASEAN member countries.

Moreover, ERIA made a presentation on the realization of a net-zero economy as part of the efforts for decarbonization and sustainability in EAS participating countries. Following this, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida stated the importance of promoting decarbonization in the East Asian and ASEAN regions and his expectations for ERIA.

Following the meeting, an ASEAN joint media statement was issued based on the discussion results.

3. 27th AEM+3 (Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea) Consultation (APT)

On September 22, the 27th AEM+3 Consultation was held, bringing together representatives of ASEAN member countries, Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea. Participants confirmed the progress made in economic cooperation programs under the AEM+3 framework and held discussions on efforts by member countries under the APT economic cooperation.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida explained Japan's efforts, including activities by the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC).

At the meeting, participants again confirmed the importance of cooperation between ASEAN economies, Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea. Following the meeting, a joint media statement was issued based on the discussion results.

4. 3rd RCEP Ministerial Meeting after the enforcement of the RCEP Agreement

On September 22, the 3rd RCEP Ministerial Meeting was held. Participants held discussions on a variety of issues involving the operation of the RCEP Agreement. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida stressed the importance of implementing the agreement in a transparent manner to build an economic order that observes free and fair rules in the region, and participating ministers reaffirmed the importance. Moreover, the meeting noted the major progress made in efforts for establishing the RCEP Support Unit (RSU), including the recruitment of the Executive Director of the RSU. Furthermore, the meeting welcomed the adoption of  the “Procedures for Accession to the RCEP Agreement.”

Following the meeting, a “Joint Media Statement” was issued based on the discussion results.

5. Signing ceremony for LoIs concluded by Japanese, Lao PDR, and other related companies

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida and H.E. Mr. Malaythong Kommasith, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR, attended a signing ceremony for LoIs concluded by Japanese, Lao PDR, and other related companies. Under the LoIs, a project will be launched, aiming at decarbonization in the Pakse-Japan SME Special Economic Zone based on taking advantage of green hydrogen.*

At the ceremony, participants enjoyed coffee made from coffee beans produced in Lao PDR that were roasted using green hydrogen.

6. Bilateral meetings

(1) Talking with Minister Malaythong, Lao PDR

The two sides welcomed the efforts undertaken by Japanese companies developing business in Lao PDR and progress made in the technological cooperation in the handicraft industry. Following this, Japan and Lao PDR, ASEAN chair in 2024, exchanged views on the formulation of the ASEAN-Japan AI Innovation Co-Creation Roadmap.

(2) Meeting with Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General, ASEAN

The two sides exchanged views on ASEAN-Japan cooperation such as RCEP cooperation, the ASEAN-Japan AI Innovation Co-Creation Roadmap and the ASEAN-Japan Master Plan for the Next-Generation Automotive Industry.

(3) Meeting with Mr. Watanabe Tetsuya, President, ERIA

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida received explanations from the ERIA on a variety of its efforts, including the Asia Zero Emission Center, which started in August 2024. Following this, the two sides agreed that METI and the ERIA will further collaborate to realize the ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Vision.

7. Exchanging views with local Japanese companies

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yoshida held a meeting with senior officials of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lao PDR and representatives of Japanese companies developing business in the country. They exchanged views on the situation regarding the business expansion of Japanese companies in Lao PDR, the potential for business in the country, and challenges in investment.

Related Materials

• AEM-METI Consultation (summary) (in Japanese)(PDF:1,316KB)
• Joint Media Statement of the 30th AEM-METI Consultation(PDF:164KB)
• Future Design and Action Plan for Innovative and Sustainable ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation 2023 – 2033(PDF:331KB)
• ASEAN Media Statement of the 12th EAS Economic Ministers’ Meeting(PDF:165KB)
• Joint Media Statement of the 27th AEM+3 Consultation(PDF:123KB)
• Joint Media Statement of the 3rd RCEP Ministers’ Meeting(PDF:164KB)

Divisions in Charge

• Asia and Pacific Division, Trade Policy Bureau

• Economic Partnership Division, International Economic Affairs Department, Trade Policy Bureau