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- Symposium on Economic Resilience Strategy for Japan and ASEAN Held
Symposium on Economic Resilience Strategy for Japan and ASEAN Held
March 6, 2026
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), and other organizations jointly held the Symposium on Economic Resilience Strategy for Japan and ASEAN, an event to discuss directions for industrial cooperation that will contribute to the resilience of the economies of Japan and ASEAN. At the symposium, Mr. Ino Toshiro, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, stated Japan’s intention to contribute to enhancing the autonomy of ASEAN member states in key industrial sectors.
1. Overview
On Friday, March 6, METI, together with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the Canon Institute for Global Studies (CIGS), held the Symposium on Economic Resilience Strategy for Japan and ASEAN in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. At this symposium, government officials, industrial circles, and researchers from both Japan and ASEAN gathered to hold a panel discussion on how Japan can contribute to economic resilience in ASEAN.
Prior to the panel discussion, State Minister Ino and Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered the keynote speeches.
2. Keynote speech by State Minister Ino
In his keynote speech, State Minister Ino expressed Japan’s intention to actively contribute to enhancing the autonomy of key industries across ASEAN member states. Furthermore, he emphasized Japan's commitment to supporting Japanese companies in expanding their private investment and business opportunities within the ASEAN region.
3. Panel discussion
(1) Japan-ASEAN Economic Resilience Strategy
Presenters included Ms. Anna Maria Rosario D. Robeniol, Senior Policy Fellow of ERIA; Ms. Denise Cheska Enriquez, Chief, Regional Relations and Arrangements Division, Philippines Department of Trade and Industry; Mr. Zainal Abidin Ahmad, CEO of Perodua; and Professor Munakata Naoko of the University of Tokyo. In addition, Director-General for Trade Policy and Economic Cooperation Komiyama Yasuji of METI also took the stage to discuss the current international economic environment and the ideal form of Japan-ASEAN cooperation for economic resilience.
(2) Japan-Indonesia industrial cooperation
Presenters included Mr. Faisol Riza, Vice Minister of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia; Mr. Arif Satria, Chairman of the National Research and Innovation Agency of the Republic of Indonesia; Mr. Masu Kazuya, Director of the G-QuAT, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST); and Professor Sakata Ichiro of the University of Tokyo. In addition, Deputy Director-General for Economic Security Policy Nishikawa Kazumi of the Trade and Economic Security Bureau of METI also took the stage, and discussions were held on industrial cooperation between Japan and Indonesia, as well as approaches to human resource development.
Related Link
Division in Charge
Asia and Pacific Division, Trade Policy Bureau