The 40th edition of the JAMECA – MAJECA Joint Conference was held on 25 May 2023 at ANA InterContinental Tokyo, Japan.

This edition of the Joint Conference, hosted by the Japan – Malaysia Economic Association (JAMECA) was themed ‘Deepening Economic Relations between Japan and Malaysia through Multi-Layered Co-Creation’.

This conference saw the attendance of over 100 participants from Malaysia and Japan representing members of JAMECA and MAJECA, including the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the Japan External Trade Organisations (JETRO) alongside chambers of commerce, business associations, thinktanks and the business communities from both countries.

The Joint Conference was graced by the H.E. Katsuhiko Takahashi, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia and H.E. Dato’ Shahril Effendi Abd Ghany, Ambassador of Malaysia to Japan.

JAMECA was led by its President, Mr Tsuyoshi Nagano who is also the Chairman of Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. The delegation from MAJECA was led by its President, Tan Sri Azman Hashim.

The focus of the 40^th edition of the Joint Conference was on reconnecting the stakeholders and role players of the business communities of the two countries under the backdrop of a reopening of borders and a return to force pre-pandemic. This Joint Conference highlighted the dynamism and vitality present in the economies of both nations, and underscored the gradual increasing adoption and promotion of the services economy and digital-centric industries. The Joint Conference also explored how the startup ecosystem can help businesses adopt digital solutions and embrace ESG, the green economy and inclusivity.

The momentum and potential for Japan and Malaysia co-creation, cooperation and collaboration continue to expand and grow as horizons broaden.  Tan Sri Azman Hashim highlighted the ever-changing and ever-growing ecosystem IR4.0 technologies and solutions, especially with the great leaps achieved by Artificial Intelligence, and the global move towards ESG which covers energy issues, the green economy and inclusivity are key areas for business cooperation, and Malaysia and Japan cooperation and collaboration to jointly explore integration and innovation toward mutual partnerships.

The expert panel of speakers of the Joint Conference highlighted a number of sectors that can strengthen and deepen the bilateral business ties between Malaysia and Japan. These include:

• Decarbonisation and renewable energy businesses that can help both countries achieve their climate goals and reduce their carbon footprint.
• Japanese digital transformation business models that can inspire and guide Malaysian businesses to leverage digital technologies and innovation.
• The gaming industry, which encompasses creative content and digital arts, that can showcase the cultural diversity and talent of both countries.
• New sectors in health, bio-, agro- and medical sectors that will drive the development of new ecosystems
• Data centers that can provide reliable and secure infrastructure for the digital economy and society.
• Malaysia as a proven test bed for prototypes and a hub or springboard for the dynamic ASEAN region and beyond, offering access to a large and diverse market.
• Halal product certification that can open up new opportunities for Japanese products in the global market, especially in Muslim-majority countries.
• The ageing population conundrum that will require a range of products and services aided by new technologies to address the needs and challenges of the elderly.

VIP Pre-Meeting

A VIP meet-and-greet session was held between the senior leaders and key stakeholders of MAJECA and JAMECA along with the Ambassadors of Malaysia and Japan.

(from left-to-right)
Mr Tsuyoshi Nagano, President, Japan-Malaysia Economic Association (JAMECA), Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA)and H.E. Takahashi Katsuhiko, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia

---

Opening Ceremony

The Joint Conference began with Opening Remarks from the respective Presidents of JAMECA and MAJECA.

Mr. Tsuyoshi Nagano,
President of Japan-Malaysia Economic Association (JAMECA) and the Chairman of the 40th JAMECA-MAJECA Joint Conference delivered his opening remarks.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim,
President of Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) and Co-Chairman of the 40th JAMECA-MAJECA Joint Conference delivered his opening remarks.

Following on, the congratulatory messages by the Prime Minister of Japan and Prime Minister of Malaysia were read.

H.E. Katsuhiko Takahashi,
Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia delivered his greetings to participants of the Joint Conference and read the congratulatory message by H.E. Kishida Fumio, the Prime Minister of Japan.

H.E. Dato’ Shahril Effendi bin Abd Ghany,
Ambassador of Malaysia to Japan delivered his greetings to participants of the Joint Conference and read the congratulatory message by YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia.

A group photo of the Opening Ceremony VIPs (from left to right):
Mr Kuniharu Nakamura, Vice President, JAMECA, H.E. Katsuhiko Takahashi, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, Mr Tsuyoshi Nagano, President, JAMECA, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MAJECA, H.E. Dato’ Shahril Effendi bin Abd Ghany, Ambassador of Malaysia to Japan and Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA

Presentation of the MAJECA 40th Anniversary Book to the Ambassador of Malaysia to Japan (from left-to-right)
Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, EXCO Member, MAJECA, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MAJECA, Dato’ Shahril Effendi bin Abd Ghany, Ambassador of Malaysia to Japan and Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA

---

Plenary Session 1
Current Trade and Investment Trends between Malaysia and Japan

(from left-to-right)
Mr Takero Sawamura, President, The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Malaysia (JACTIM), Ms Mai Onozawa, Managing Director, JETRO Kuala Lumpur, Mr Niqman Rafaee M. Sahar, Director / Trade Commissioner, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) Tokyo, Mr Shamsul Amir Azman, Deputy Director, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Tokyo.

Plenary Session 2
Introduce Regions where Malaysia Promotes Investment

Dato’ Ragu Sampasivam, Chief Operating Officer, East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC)

Mr Auni Alias, Head, Investor Promotion & Relations, Technology Hub Development Division, Cyberview Sdn Bhd

Plenary Session 3
Mutual Development between Japan and Malaysia in Local Development

(from left-to-right)
Moderator: Mr Yoichiro Kimata, Representing Director for Eastern Hokkaido, JICA Hokkaido (Obihiro), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr Koji Takeda, Secretary General, Obihiro Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), Mr Ryo Iko, Senior Manager, Tech & Business Development Division, Head of Businesses in Sarawak, CHITOSE Group, and Dato’ Ragu Sampasivam, Chief Operating Officer, East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC)

Plenary Session 4
Japan – Malaysia Co-creation and Potentials towards New Economy and Digital Frontiers

(from left-to-right)
Moderator: Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA, Dr Yuta Iwamoto, Master of Tropical Medicine, Medical Doctor, Expert in Overseas Business Department, TXP Medical, Mr Noriyuki Kaya, Senior Vice President, Chief Digital Assets Officer, NTT DATA Inc, Mr Auni Alias, Head, Investor Promotion & Relations, Technology Hub Development Division, Cyberview Sdn Bhd, and Mr Melvin Ong, Director & Co-Founder, 25 Startups Sdn Bhd

---

Closing Ceremony

The Closing Ceremony of the Joint Conference saw Closing Remarks delivered by the leadership of MAJECA and JAMECA.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim,
President of MAJECA delivered his closing remarks and announced that MAJECA would host the 41st edition of the Joint Conference in Malaysia in 2024.

Mr Kuniharu Nakamura,
Vice President, JAMECA delivered his closing remarks.

(from left-to-right)
Mr Kuniharu Nakamura, Vice President, JAMECA, Mr Tsuyoshi Nagano, President, JAMECA, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MAJECA and Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA.

---

The Joint Conference then adjourned to a Dinner hosted by JAMECA.

---

Photo Gallery:

---

The 40^th edition of the MAJECA – JAMECA Joint Conference was made possible through the extensive efforts and cooperation from our host, Japan – Malaysia Economic Association (JAMECA), and members of MAJECA, particularly: East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) and Cyberview Sdn Bhd.