The 45^th ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting (AJBM) was successfully held at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Japan on 13 December 2019.  The theme of the conference was “New Reality and Opportunity for ASEAN & Japan in the Face of New Global Trends”.

The Japanese side was led by Mr Nobuhide Hayashi, Chairman of the 45^th AJBM and Senior Advisor of Mizuho Bank Ltd.

Opening Ceremony

Mr Keiichiro Hashimoto, Vice Chairman and President of Keizai Doyukai gave the Welcome Remarks.

2 special guests gave remarks.  They were:

• Mr Norihiro Nakayama, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Japan
• H.E. Mr Singtong Lapisatepun, Royal Thai Ambassador to Japan

 

Plenary Session I

The theme for the presentation by Softbank was “What Digitalization Brings to Asia; Business Model Transformation and New Opportunities in Asia”.

The presenters were:

• Mr Yasuyuki Imai – Senior Vice Officer and COO
• Mr Daichi Nozaki – VP & Head of Global Business Division

Softbank presentation at the 45^th AJBM:

 

The 2^nd Keynote was presented Mr Yasuyuki Konuma, Director & Senior Executive Officer of Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Tokyo Stock Exchange presentation:

 

ASEAN-Japan Startups Panel during Lunch Session

During lunch, 5 ASEAN/Japan Startup made a presentation to the AJBM members on their startup business.  These 5 startups were:

1. Mr Mitsuru Izumo, CEO & Founder of Euglena

Euglena is a microalgae.  Euglena is the world’s first biotechnology company that has succeeded to mass cultivate microalgae Euglena, in the outdoors, for food use.

2. Mr Yoshihiro Ota, Head of CEO Office, Axelspace Corporation

Axelspace specializes in space-related industries.  It offers solutions based on microsatellite technology designs and produce microsatellites and related components and all business related to microsatellite data.  Their vision is “Space within your reach”.

3. Mr Naoji Taniguchi, CEO & CTO, Holoeyes

Holoeyes is a data driven company providing surgeons with VR/AR/MR based communication, planning, navigation and education services for doctors and hospitals.

4. Mr Jeffrey Foo, Regional Group Director for Japan & Korea, LIV3LY Pte. Ltd.-Singapore

LIV3LY aims to empower generations of fitness, targeting youth to fitness and healthy lifestyles through the LIV3LY app that combines a fitness tracker, social media and market place platforms and healthy fitness event platform.

5. Mr Sean Ong, Regional Group Director for Japan & Korea, Enterprise Singapore

Enterprise Singapore is under the purview of the Ministry of Trade & Industry of Singapore.  Its mission is to grow stronger SME enterprises by building capabilities and accessing global opportunities, thereby creating good jobs for Singaporeans.

Singapore business environment is friendly and has a conducive ecosystem for startups to thrive.

6. Mr Prasetio Erlimus, CEO, PT Compro Kotak Inovasi – Indonesia.

Compro is an Indonesian startup company with a mission to help companies/organisations to use technology through mobile apps to reach wider audience of customers, engaging sellers, distributions, resellers, influencers and ultimately consumers.

 

3 Breakout Sessions were held.  They were:

1. Connecting the Markets and enhancing Opportunities – Digital changes consumer market (E-commerce).
2. Upgrading Industries – Digital changes industry infrastructure and value chains (manufacturing & human resources).
3. Enhancing well-being for all – Smart, sustainable and quality solutions (smart city solutions, energy & environment, mobility).

Session 2 was moderated by Mr Fuminao Hachiuma, President & CEO, J-Oil Mills, Inc.

 

Session 3 was moderated by Mr Toshio Asano, Former President and CEO, Asahi Kasei Corporation.

 

Plenary Session 2

It was noted that E-commerce will definitely grow. Digitalization is already impacting the manufacturing industrial sector.  Manufacturing supply chains are changing, including the speed to change.  Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also changing the way how Human Resources are being identified, hired & trained or retrained.  Infrastructure requirements in the digital age is also changing, impacting existing business models.  The concept of infrastructure now includes ICT, software management and HR capital development.

Closing Remarks

The 45^th AJBM discussed the new reality brought on by e-commerce and digitalization to changing business models and manufacturing value chains.  The meeting took cognizance of the need for ASEAN-Japan business partnerships to evolve beyond the traditional models.  The meeting acknowledged massive changes and disruptions brought on by globalizations and digitalization in the 10 different ASEAN economies and all 10 countries are experiencing changes at different levels and at different speeds.  The meeting also discussed the future model of ASEAN-Japan partnerships and mutual expectations with emphasis on the power of digitalization and the need to engage start-ups.  Japan acknowledged that there was a need to find a way to prosper together, develop deeper understanding, challenge and desire for win-win relationships.

MAJECA will host the 46th ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting in Malaysia in 2020.

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Amazon Japan Kawasaki Fulfillment Center

Keizai Doyukai facilitated a visit to Amazon Fulfillment Center in Kawasaki for the AJBM delegates on 14 December 2019.

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45th ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting (AJBM)

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