The 50th ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting
Building Resilient Partnership for Sustainable Future
Keizai Doyukai co-hosted the 50th Japan-ASEAN Business Meeting (AJBM) in Bangkok on 7 November. AJBM has been one of the pillars of Doyukai's international exchange initiatives since the 1970s, aiming at supporting ASEAN's regional integration and strengthening economic ties between Japan and ASEAN. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN friendship and cooperation, providing an opportunity for extensive discussions on the partnership's trajectory for the next half-century. At this milestone 50th gathering, participants built upon those achievements and guided by the vision of "Co-Creation of Economic Value," deliberated on shared challenges critical to the sustainable growth of both Japan and ASEAN. More than 250 business leaders from across the region took part in these discussions. Please refer to the program outline for details on each item.
OVERVIEW
Date
Thursday 7 October, 2024 9:00-17:15（Local time）
Host country
Thailand
Venue
Grand Ballroom, The Okura Prestige Bangkok
Theme
Building Resilient Partnership for Sustainable Future
PROGRAM
Opening Session
Welcome
Mr.Kalin Sarasin Chairman of the 50th AJBM and Honorary Chairman of The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand
Mr.Yuji Hirako Co-Chairperson, Japan-AsiaRelations Committee, Keizai Doyukai Senior Advisor, ANA Holdings Inc.
Mr.Mike Kanetsugu Vice Chairperson, Keizai Doyukai and Member of the Board of Directors, Chairman, MUFG
Guest Remark
Mr. Masato Otaka Ambassador of Japan to Thailand
Keynote Speech
H. E. Mr. Akanat Promphan Minister of Industry of Thailand
Introduction
Dr. Somkiat Tangkitvanich President, Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI)
Panel Discussion
Food Security
Dr. Poj Aramwattananont President & CEO, SeaValue Public Company Limited
Mr. Ichiro Sakakura President, AjinomotoThailand
Mr. Salman Ghzali Group Chief Strategy Officer, FGV Holdings Berhad
Mr. Muhaymin Khan (Moderator) Manager, YCP
In addressing challenges such as climate change and supply chain shifts caused by geopolitical risks, ASEAN faces the pressing question of how to balance a stable food supply with contributions to sustainable development goals.
During the panel discussion, business leaders from various stages of the food value chain shared insights into the current situation and potential solutions, grounded in the realities of their respective businesses.
Key points discussed included enhancing the productivity and sustainability of primary industries through technological innovation, reducing food loss and utilizing inedible parts, diversifying crop production, and establishing integrated infrastructure across production, processing, and transportation.
Tourism
Mrs. Suphajee Suthumpun Group CEO, Dusit International
Mr. Hiroyuki Kitagawa President & CEO, JTB PTELtd.
Mr. Shinya Kanda President, CEO of ANA X
Mr. Joydeep Chakraborty Chief Strategy Officer, Traveloka
Ms. Fei Yong（Moderator） Manager, YCP Holdings
Tourism is increasingly recognized as a key driver of sustainable growth in Japan and ASEAN.
The panel explored challenges like overtourism and equitable revenue distribution, highlighting regional disparities in post-COVID-19 tourism recovery. Discussions focused on mitigating environmental and infrastructure impacts through measures like developing new destinations, diversifying travel options, leveraging digital tools for visitor management, and preparing for future growth.
The importance of collaboration among businesses, governments, and local communities was underscored as critical to sustainable tourism development.
【Special Dialogue】Food Culture in Tourism
Ms. Jutamas Wisansing PhD, Managing Director & Consultant, Perfect Link Consulting Group Co.,Ltd.
Mr. Matthew John Knights Chief Hospitality Group Officer,Asset World Corporation
A dialogue session focused on the strong connection between food culture and tourism.
Participants discussed how food culture, with its unique ingredients, skilled preparation, and chefs' creativity, is a key draw for tourists. They also emphasized that the essence of tourism lies in authentic experiences, with food offering a direct and immersive way to connect with local culture.
Mobility
Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt Governor of Bangkok
Mr. Prasanna Kumar Ganesh Executive Vice President,Toyota Motor Asia
Mr. Yew Heng Lim Group Managing Director, Grab Holdings
Mr. Nuttapan Meethong（Moderator） Director, YCP
A discussion on mobility challenges unique to ASEAN, such as air pollution and traffic congestion, brought together leaders from the automotive, MaaS, and government sectors.
While electrification of mobility is a key focus, the need for a multifaceted approach was emphasized, including energy decarbonization from a "well-to-wheel" perspective, addressing car ownership realities, infrastructure development, and behavioral changes.
The session underscored the importance of public-private collaboration and leveraging technology to implement comprehensive solutions effectively.
HR Platform by Keizai Doyukai & ERIA
Mr. Nobuhiro Aizawa Dean and Managing Director, ERIA's School of Government
Mr. Yuji Hirako Co-Chairperson, Japan-Asia Relations Committee, Keizai Doyukai and Senior Advisor, ANA Holdings Inc.
Mr. Kazufumi Watanabe Group CXO, Executive Vice President and Executive Officer, SOMPO Holdings, Inc.
H.E. Mr. Masahiko Kiya Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN
Updates on the progress of the "Japan-ASEAN Talent Circulation Platform," discussed at the 49th AJBM, were shared. Insights from ERIA's talent circulation workshop and Keizai Doyukai's survey on promoting two-way talent mobility between Japan and ASEAN were presented.
Key challenges were identified, including understanding ASEAN's diverse needs and defining Japan's unique value propositions, paving the way for further discussions and concrete action plans.
Closing
Closing Remarks
Mr. Seiji Imai Co-Chairperson, Japan-AsiaRelations Committee, Keizai Doyukai Chairman, Member of the Board of Directors, Mizuho Financial Group
