1. Attending the ASEAN economic ministerial meetings

(1) The 29th AEM-METI Consultation

At the AEM-METI Consultation held on August 22, participants held discussions on the progress made in the Japan-ASEAN economic cooperation over the past year. State Minister Nakatani announced the "ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Vision," which was formulated by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and industrial players in Japan and ASEAN economies, commemorating the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation in 2023. He also explained Japan’s efforts, including the "Future Design and Action Plan for Innovative and Sustainable ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation 2023-2033," which was formulated by the governments of Japan and ASEAN economies to realize the vision. In addition, he stated that Japan would strive to form projects that chart the future so that Japan and ASEAN economies will be able to realize specific co-creation projects by taking certain opportunities, such as an ASEAN-Japan economic co-creation forum scheduled to be held in Tokyo in December 2023. ASEAN economies stated that they welcomed the final compilation of the vision and agreed with the action plan.

Moreover, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) announced that it will launch a new center called "E-DISC: ERIA-Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Center" as early as this week to realize regional digital innovation and a sustainable economy. State Minister Nakatani shared his expectation that the center would contribute to achieving the vision as a knowledge hub for a variety of projects.

Furthermore, he explained that regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, the IAEA’s comprehensive report published in July 2023 concluded that the discharge is consistent with international safety standards and that the radiological impact to people and the environment will be negligible.

Following the discussions, the meeting issued a "Joint Media Statement" based on the discussion results.

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(2) The 26th AME Plus Three (Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea) Consultation (APT)

On August 22, an AME Plus Three Consultation was held, bringing together ASEAN economies, Japan, China, and the ROK. At the meeting, ERIA made a briefing on the results of a survey for solving the digital divide and participants held discussions on the efforts by respective countries for APT economic cooperation. State Minister Nakatani stated that Japan would provide the maximum support for the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) initiative that EIRA and ASEAN will jointly advance for digitalization. He also presented Japan’s efforts, such as activities taken by the ASEAN-Japan Centre.

Furthermore, he explained that regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, the IAEA’s comprehensive report published in July 2023 concluded that the discharge is consistent with international safety standards and that the radiological impact to people and the environment will be negligible.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of cooperation among ASEAN and Japan, China, and the ROK. Following the discussions, the meeting issued a "Joint Media Statement" based on the discussion results.

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(3) The 11th EAS Economic Ministers’ Meeting (EAS-EMM)

On August 21, an EAS-EMM was held, bringing together ASEAN economies, Japan, China, the ROK, Australia, New Zealand, India, the United States, and Russia. At the meeting, participants held discussions on the economic situation and economic development in the East Asia region. State Minister Nakatani stated Japan’s position regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, condemning the action, and its concerns over the situation in Myanmar. In addition, he put forward issues that member countries should address for global economic development, including the necessity of securing free and fair multilateral trade systems that observe rules. He also spoke about the regional cooperation that Japan and ASEAN are working on.

Following this, ERIA stated that it would launch E-DISC as early as this week to realize regional digital innovation and a sustainable economy. State Minister Nakatani stated that Japan would proactively support ERIA’s efforts and shared his anticipation for ERIA’s contributions to countries in the East Asia and ASEAN regions through certain efforts, including rulemaking on digital technology and green technology.

Following the discussions, the meeting issued a "Chair’s Statement" based on the discussion results.

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(4) The 2nd RCEP Ministers’ Meeting after the entry into force of the RCEP Agreement

On August 21, an RCEP Ministers’ Meeting was held. At the meeting, participants held discussions on a variety of issues involving the operation of the RCEP Agreement. In addition, State Minister Nakatani 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 adopted related documents to establish an RCEP Support Unit and agreed to cooperate in establishing the unit. Furthermore, the meeting announced that it would contribute an additional 500,000 US dollars to further support ASEAN economies in implementing the agreement.

Following the discussions, the meeting issued a "Joint Media Statement" based on the discussion results.

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2. Exchanging views with ministers and other stakeholders of participating countries

(1) Meeting with Minister Malaithong, Lao PDR

At the meeting with Lao PDR, a country serving as 2024 ASEAN chair, the two sides confirmed further collaboration toward Japan-ASEAN cooperation and exchanged views on bilateral ties, including collaboration involving the field of digital technology and involving the introduction of carbon-free technologies, e.g., hydrogen, ammonia, and carbon dioxide capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). In addition, Japan explained the safety of discharging ALPS treated water into the sea, referring to scientific evidence.

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

State Minister Nakatani expressed his congratulations to Mr. Watanabe for his new position as the president of ERIA, and he received explanations from ERIA about its various efforts for green technology, digital technology, etc. and E-DISC, which was newly launched. The two sides agreed to further collaborate to realize the ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Vision and other initiatives.

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3. Exchanging views with executives of local companies and other entities

State Minister Nakatani held meetings with the executives of Japanese companies developing business in Semarang and those of the Jakarta Japan Club (JJC). They exchanged views on the current state of Japanese companies’ business development in Indonesia and challenges in investment in the country.

Related Materials

• JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT (THE TWENTY-NINTH AEM – METI CONSULTATION)PDF
• JOINT MEDIA STATEMENTTHE (TWENTY-SIXTH AEM PLUS THREE CONSULTATION)PDF
• CHAIR’S STATEMENT (THE ELEVENTH EAS ECONOMIC MINISTERS’ MEETING)PDF
• Joint Media Statement of the 2nd RCEP Ministers’ MeetingPDF

Related Link

• Final Version of "ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Vision" and "Future Design and Action Plan" Released (August 22, 2023)

Division in Charge

Asia and Pacific Division, Trade Policy Bureau

Information on the RCEP Ministers’ Meeting

Economic Partnership Division, Trade Policy Bureau