OPINION | ACADEMIA- Young Japanese, ASEAN leaders foster long-lasting cooperation

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (center left, front row) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (center right, front row) browse documents on Dec. 16, 2023 at Kishida’s official residence in Tokyo, during a photo shoot with participants of the ASEAN-Japan Generation Z Business Leaders Summit. The gathering was held as a side event of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit to mark 50 years of friendship and cooperation. (Reuters/Pool/Eugene Hoshiko)

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Yohanes Lukiman
The Jakarta Post

The Japan-ASEAN Young Business Leaders Summit and the Generation Z Business Leaders Summit held in Nagano Prefecture’s Karuizawa Town, Japan from Dec. 13 to Dec. 15 focused on fostering new connections between future business leaders from Japan and ASEAN.

The summits aimed to build mutual understanding and trust, share economic and social challenges, and discuss collaboration for solutions. A joint declaration from these discussions was presented to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

This engagement with ASEAN is no flash in the pan. The Japanese government has seen the volatile global landscape and decided to take a sustained, aggressive and, dare I say, innovative approach to engaging with ASEAN on multiple fronts.

Over the past two years, ASEAN Business Advisory Council (BAC) Indonesia has observed Japan become perhaps the most active and most consistent of the “plus three” nations in engaging with ASEAN. We in ASEAN have a strong ambition to stand together as a non-aligned, neutral regional bloc, which acts as a global economic growth driver in its own right.

However cross-border collaboration in a business-as-usual mode will not take ASEAN to greater heights, nor will it deepen our relationship with Japan. Innovation is needed, and I am of the firm belief that ASEAN and Japan can help each other.

As a participant of the Japan-ASEAN Young Leaders Summit, I have to acknowledge that Japan’s dedication to engaging with ASEAN nations stands out. Its investment of time, effort and resources in fostering relations across generations and various business and government sectors is unparalleled among the “plus three” ASEAN nations.

This commitment reflects Japan’s long-term vision for a mutually beneficial partnership within the region. Indonesia, representing ASEAN countries, views Japan as a vital long-term partner. This summit has further solidified our belief in the strength and potential of this partnership. We are committed to nurturing this relationship, recognizing the mutual benefits and shared goals that bind us.

The number of top ASEAN business leaders congregating in one place was truly remarkable. This turnout is a testament to the high regard in which Japan is held by ASEAN conglomerates and business groups. It signifies the depth and potential of business ties within the region.

Indonesia brought in heavy hitters, including Catherine Sutjahyo, William Tanuwijaya, Pandu Sjahrir, Aldi Haryopratomo, Michael Widjaja, Elora Hardy RDI and Arif Rachmat, while from across ASEAN business luminaries attended such as Hui Kwok (Kuok Group), Tanit Chearavanont (CP Group), Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala (Ayala Group), Governor of the Central Bank of Cambodia Serey Chea, Gareth Wong (Sembcorp), Yeoh Keong Yuang (YTL Group) and Gavin Vongkusolkit (Mitr Phol Group) just to name a few.

I fervently hope that this summit becomes an annual event. Regular interactions and exchanges like these are vital for deepening understanding, exploring new opportunities and fostering long-lasting relationships between Japan and ASEAN nations.

ASEAN’s centrality and its growing influence on the global stage are undeniable. As our market becomes more valuable and our economic strength increases, our role in international affairs is set to become even more significant. This growth is not just in numbers but in the quality of our engagements and the depth of our global partnerships.

During the summit, we engaged in meaningful discussions about the economic and social challenges facing our regions. The collaborative spirit was palpable as we brainstormed solutions and shared insights. This collaborative approach is crucial for addressing the complex challenges of our time.

The emphasis on young leaders at the summit was particularly inspiring. Recognizing the role of the new generation in shaping the future of our economies and societies is a step in the right direction. As a young leader myself, I felt empowered and motivated to contribute more actively to our collective goals.

Looking ahead, the connections and understandings fostered at the summit lay the groundwork for a brighter, more collaborative future. It is an exciting time for ASEAN and Japan as we move forward, building on the foundations laid by this summit.

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The writer is an executive of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and board member and digital transformation policy manager at ASEAN Business Advisory Council. The views expressed are personal.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.

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Jakarta   ●
Thu, December 28, 2023

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