"AJ-NEXT 2025" Japan-ASEAN Executive Dialogue to Identify Shared Challenges for Co-creation
On 5 December 2025, Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives) convened the Japan-ASEAN Executive Dialogue, "AJ-NEXT" (ASEAN-Japan Network for Engagement and Transformation), in Tokyo.
Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing international environment surrounding Japan and ASEAN, the dialogue aimed to explore expectations for executive-level engagement and to identify priority issues where deeper regional cooperation should be pursued. Senior executives from leading economic organizations in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines joined Japanese business leaders, bringing together approximately 50 participants for candid and substantive discussions.
Participants exchanged views on strategies and priority sectors essential for sustainable growth in their respective countries, as well as on the forms of regional cooperation required to support such growth.
In an increasingly uncertain global environment characterized by U.S.-China tensions, ASEAN economies are being urged to shift their growth drivers from export-led models toward the development of domestic and intra-regional demand. In this context, frank discussions were held on challenges and expectations for Japan-ASEAN collaboration in key sectors such as primary industries and food, tourism, and maritime transport and logistics.
In addition, participants discussed how cooperation could be structured in the areas of human resource development and utilization, particularly between countries with abundant young populations but limited domestic job creation capacity, and those facing declining birth rates, aging populations, and labor shortages. Diverse needs and institutional challenges related to talent mobility and workforce development were addressed.
Building on the discussions, participants agreed to continue examining issues that warrant further bilateral or multilateral dialogue, as well as concrete directions for future cooperation.
Prior to the main conference, a dinner dialogue with young business leaders active in Japan and ASEAN was held on 4 December, providing an opportunity for cross-generational networking.
An overview of the event is provided below.
Overview
Date and Time
Friday, 5 December 2025, 9:15-17:30
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Venue
Hotel New Otani Tokyo
Theme
Building Resilient, Sustainable Growth in a Multipolar, Uncertain World
Participating Organizations
・The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand
・Indonesian Business Council
・Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee
・Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives)
Program
Opening Session
Welcome Remarks
- Mr. Seiji Imai Chair, Japan-Asia Relations Committee, Keizai Doyukai (Member of the Board of Directors, Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.)
Guest Remarks
- Mr. Shingo Miyamoto Director-General / Assistant Minister, Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan(MoFA)
- Mr. Tetsuya Watanabe President, The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Opening Remarks by ASEAN Representatives
- Mr. Kalin SARASIN Honorary Chairman, The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand (TCC&BoT)
- Mr. Richard Albert I. OSMOND President and CEO, Science Park of the Philippines, Inc.
- Mr. Arsjad RASJID Chair of the Board of Trustees at IBC and Founder and Chairman of Sriwijaya Capital
Session 1：Tone-Setting
Vision and Challenges for ASEAN-Japan Future Growth
Following introductory remarks by Professor Takashi Terada (Faculty of Law, Doshisha University), Taku Imamura(Executive Officer, Marubeni Corporation), Vice Chair of Japan-Asia Relations Committee of Keizai Doyukai, provided key perspectives. Participants exchanged views on common directions and necessary actions to achieve resilient and sustainable growth in response to geopolitical tensions and changes in the global economic order.
Introduction
- Mr. Takashi Terada Professor of International Relations, Doshisha University
- Mr. Takashi Imamura Vice Chair, Japan-Asia Relations Committee, Keizai Doyukai (Executive Officer, Marubeni Corporation)
「In a Multipolar World, Transformation in Growth Models is Essential」
Open Discussion
Moderator
- Mr. Takashi Terada Professor of International Relations, Doshisha University
Session 2：Agenda Setting Part1
Priorities, challenges and expectations for international cooperation by ASEAN
Moderated by Kazufumi Watanabe, Chair of the Japan-Asia Relations Committee of Keizai Doyukai (Director, Lotte Holdings), representatives from Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines shared national perspectives on priority challenges and expectations for collaboration. Presentations focused on the food industry (Thailand and the Philippines), tourism (Thailand), and maritime logistics (Indonesia), followed by open discussion.
Naohiro Mashita, Trustee of Keizai Doyukai (President and Group CEO, V-Cube, Inc.), also reported on the outcomes of the Next-Generation Business Leaders Summit held in Tokyo from 2 to 4 December, highlighting the value of cross-generational Japan-ASEAN engagement.
Reference
https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2025/12/20251205003/20251205003.html
Introduction
- Mr. Kazufumi Watanabe Chair, Japan-Asia Relations Committee, Keizai Doyukai (Director, Lotte Holdings Co., Ltd.)
Presentations
Thailand
「Food Industry ／ Tourism」
- Dr. Poj ARAMWATTANANONT President & CEO, SeaValue Public Company Ltd
- Mr. Kalin SARASIN Honorary Chairman, The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand (TCC&BoT)
Indonesia
「Reindustralizing Indonesia's Strategic Sectors」
- Mr. Bani MULIA President & CEO, Samudera Indonesia
the Philippines
「Food Industry」
- Ms. Maria Aleli Maghirang Philippine Agriculture Attache in the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, vice PHILJEC Chairman
Open Discussion
Moderator
- Mr. Kazufumi Watanabe Chair, Japan-Asia Relations Committee, Keizai Doyukai (Director, Lotte Holdings Co., Ltd.)
Presentation
Next Generation Business Leaders
"Suggestions and takeaways from the Next Generation Business Leaders"
- Mr. Naohiro Mashita Chair, Regulatory Reform Committee / Member, Japan-Asia Relations Committee, Keizai Doyukai(President and Group CEO, V-Cube, Inc.)
Session 3：Agenda-Setting II
Co-creating the Foundations for Japan-ASEAN Growth
Moderated by Lailani Alcantara, Professor, College of International Management, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, this session focused on co-creating the foundations for Japan-ASEAN growth. Representatives from Indonesia and the Philippines shared challenges related to the complementarity of human resources between Japan and ASEAN, including essential workers and the circulation of industrial talent, followed by an open exchange of views.
From the Japanese side, perspectives were also presented on the current state and future potential of Japan-ASEAN talent utilization: from the viewpoint of venture companies by Hiroki Fukugawa, Vice Chair, Japan-Asia Relations Committee, Keizai Doyukai (President and CEO, Monstarlab), and from the perspective of digital platform companies by Gen Miyazawa, Chair, Committee on Corporate DX Promotion and Chair, Korea Committee, Keizai Doyukai (Senior Executive Officer, LINE Yahoo).
Introduction
- Ms. Lailani Alcantara Pro Vice President, Professor Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Presentations
Complementarity of Human Resources between Japan and ASEAN (Essential Workers and Circulation of Industrial Talent)
- Mr. Sofyan Djalil CEO, Indonesian Business Council
- Mr. Lionel Victor L. BELEN Executive Vice President, First Asia Venture Capital Inc.
Current State and Potential of Japan-ASEAN Talent Utilization
- Mr. Hiroki Fukugawa Vice Chair, Japan-Asia Relations Committee, Keizai Doyukai (President and CEO, Monstarlab)
- Mr. Gen Miyazawa Chair, Committee on Corporate DX Promotion / Chair, Korea Committee, Keizai Doyukai (Senior Executive Officer, LINE Yahoo)
Summary
- Ms. Lailani Alcantara Pro Vice President, Professor Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Summary and Closing Session
Summary Remarks
- Mr. Sofyan Djalil CEO, Indonesian Business Council
- Mr. Richard Albert I. OSMOND President and CEO, Science Park of the Philippines, Inc.
- Mr. Kalin SARASIN Honorary Chairman, The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand (TCC&BoT)
Closing Remarks
- Mr. Seiji Imai Chair, Japan-Asia Relations Committee, Keizai Doyukai (Member of the Board of Directors, Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.)
Dinner Dialogue with Next-Generation Business Leaders
Date and Time
Thursday, 4 December 2025, 17:30-19:30
Venue
Nihonbashi Congress Square, Tokyo
Participants
ASEAN-Japan Young Business Leaders, ASEAN-Japan Future Business Leaders, AJ-NEXT participants, and representatives of Keizai Doyukai
- Toast Remarks
Mr. Seiji Imai Chair, Japan-Asia Relations Committee, Keizai Doyukai (Member of the Board of Directors, Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.)
The Next-Generation Business Leaders initiative was launched in 2023, marking the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, as a platform of emerging business leaders who will carry forward the vision of Japan-ASEAN co-creation of economic value. It consists of two communities and aims to foster new connections among the next generation in Japan and ASEAN, as well as to promote co-creation for addressing social challenges and creating new business opportunities. Its activities include the organization of annual summits and the issuance of joint statements.
The ASEAN-Japan Young Business Leaders community focuses primarily onbusiness leaders in their 30s and 40s, with an emphasis on network building and community development. The ASEAN-Japan Future Business Leaders community targets Generation Z (those in their 20s) and engages in policy recommendations and advocacy activities aimed at fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems.
