ASEAN and Japan Explore New Economic Resilience Strategy Amid Rising Geo-economic Uncertainty

Tokyo, 6 March 2026: ASEAN and Japan should work together to develop a new package of co-operation aimed at strengthening economic resilience in the Indo-Pacific, speakers said at a high-level symposium held in Tokyo.

The symposium, titled 'Economic Resilience Strategy for ASEAN and Japan,' was organised by ERIA in collaboration with the Canon Institute for Global Studies (CIGS), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). The event was supported by Keidanren and took place at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo.

High-level participants includedKoichi Hagiuda, Chairman of the ERIA Parliamentary League and Acting Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party;Tadahiko Ito, Chief Secretary of the ERIA Parliamentary League and Member of the House of Representatives of Japan;Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN;Toshiro Ino, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry;Ramon M. Lopez, Chairperson of the ERIA Governing Board and former Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Philippines;Masakazu Tokura, Honorary Chair of Keidanren and Member of the ERIA Governing Board; Faisol Riza, Vice Minister of Industry of Indonesia; andArif Satria, Chairman of Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).

Speakers emphasised that the Indo-Pacific is entering a period of heightened strategic uncertainty, where economic policy, industrial strategy, and supply chain security are becoming increasingly interconnected. In this environment, closer coordination between ASEAN and Japan is seen as essential to sustain regional stability and economic growth.

ASEAN occupies a strategic position at the centre of the Indo-Pacific economy, serving both as a major production base and one of the world's fastest-growing markets. Japan remains one of ASEAN's longest-standing and most trusted partners. Speakers noted strong complementarities between ASEAN's young population and expanding manufacturing capacity and Japan's strengths in advanced technology, systems integration, and industrial standards.

Against this backdrop, policymakers and experts highlighted the need to explore a more structured form of industrial co-operation between ASEAN and Japan. A new co-operation package could focus on strengthening supply chain resilience in strategic sectors while supporting innovation, sustainability, and human capital development across the region.

In his welcoming remarks, ERIA PresidentTetsuya Watanabesaid that growing linkages between economic policy and security strategy require a more strategic approach to regional co-operation.

'The growing linkages between economic policy and security strategy have prompted both ASEAN and Japan to approach economic co-operation in a more strategic and coherent manner,' Watanabe said. 'The convergence of priorities between ASEAN and Japan creates a natural opportunity for deeper and forward-looking co-operation.'

Ramon M. Lopeznoted that ASEAN's policy priorities are evolving in response to global economic changes.

'We are observing shifting priorities in ASEAN amid changes in the global landscape,' Lopez said. 'ERIA has expanded its activities and is increasingly focusing on economic resilience and new forms of industrial co-operation to address these complex and uncertain times.'

In his opening address,Koichi Hagiudastressed the importance of strengthening ASEAN-Japan co-operation to enhance economic resilience in the Indo-Pacific, in line with the shared visions of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

'The Economic Resilience Initiative - through which ASEAN and Japan complement each other, enhance regional autonomy, promote innovation, and strengthen supply chains and economic resilience - will serve as an important framework for our two regions to grow stronger and more prosperous together,' Hagiuda said.

In his keynote address,Toshiro Inoemphasised the importance of advancing concrete initiatives to strengthen economic resilience between ASEAN and Japan.

'Toward strengthening the economic resilience of ASEAN and Japan, we will steadily advance concrete initiatives and aim to present tangible outcomes at this year's ASEAN-Japan Economic Ministers' Meeting,' Ino said.

Kao Kim Hournhighlighted several areas where cooperation between ASEAN and Japan could produce tangible results.

'There is a well-defined set of areas where ASEAN and Japan can work together with real effect,' Kao said. 'These include strengthening supply chain resilience in critical sectors, advancing the green and energy transition, accelerating digital transformation and innovation, and developing the human capital the region needs.'

He also acknowledged ERIA's role in facilitating policy dialogue and supporting practical cooperation initiatives between ASEAN and Japan.

'I highly appreciate ERIA's work across these strategic areas and its role in bringing together ASEAN and Japan,' he said. 'I look forward to ERIA's continued contribution to advancing a future framework for ASEAN-Japan cooperation on economic resilience.'

The symposium was followed by two panel discussions focusing on strategies for strengthening economic resilience and expanding industrial co-operation between ASEAN and Japan. The event brought together policymakers, business leaders, and experts from across the region to exchange views on how ASEAN and Japan can work together to navigate an increasingly complex global economic environment.

The first panel discussion,'Shaping the Economic Resilience Strategy for ASEAN-Japan,'examined how the two partners can strengthen cooperation in supply chains, strategic industries, human capital development, digital transformation, and critical minerals. Speakers emphasised that geopolitical tensions and intensifying industrial competition are increasing the need for greater economic autonomy and more resilient regional supply chains, while maintaining an open and rules-based economic system.

The second panel discussion,'Industrial Co-operation between Indonesia and Japan,'explored opportunities to deepen industrial and technological collaboration, particularly in areas such as semiconductors, advanced technologies, research partnerships, and human resource development.

Speakers highlighted the growing importance of emerging technologies - including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and next-generation semiconductors - for strengthening industrial competitiveness and innovation. They also emphasised the need for closer collaboration amongst governments, industry, and research institutions to support technology development, talent cultivation, and the creation of new innovation ecosystems.

In their closing remarks,Toshihiko Fukui, President of theCanon Institute for Global Studies, andKenichi Hirano, Executive Vice President of theJapan External Trade Organization, noted that ASEAN and Japan face a rapidly evolving geo-economic environment but also share strong complementarities that can support deeper cooperation. They emphasised the importance of translating the symposium's discussions into concrete collaboration amongst governments, businesses, and research communities.