In conjunction with the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI) organised a commemorative Forum on the theme of “Innovating for Progress: Reflecting on 50 Years of ASEAN-Japan Cooperation” with the support of the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia and the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) on 16 August 2023 at Berjaya Times Square Hotel.

The Forum aimed to enhance and strengthen the partnership of ASEAN and Japan by bringing together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from both ASEAN, specifically Malaysia and Japan to exchange ideas and explore new avenues for cooperation.

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Photo Gallery (from left-to-right)

Mr Takero Sawamura, President, Japan Chamber of Trade and Industry, Malaysia (JACTIM), Tan Sri Dr Michael Yeoh, President, KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI) and Hon. Secretary, MAJECA, H.E. Katsuhiko Takahashi, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA and Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, Executive Committee Member of MAJECA, Former Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia and Former Chairman, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia.

Special Dialogue: “ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation – Reflections on the Past 50 Years and the Next 50 Years”

Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, Executive Committee Member of MAJECA, Former Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia and Former Chairman, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA and Special Dialogue Moderator, Ms Minako Sugawara, Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Malaysia Office and Mr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute for International Affairs (SIIA).

Panel 2: Japanese Business Philosophy on Driving Innovation

Ms Esther Lai, Assistant Director, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Kuala Lumpur, Ms Yuki Aizawa, APAC Director / Country Director, Malaysia, Women in Tech Global Movement and Panel 2 Moderator, Mr Takero Sawamura, President, JACTIM and Ms Ngai Yuen Low, Group Chief Merchandise & Marketing Officer, AEON Co Malaysia.

Panel 3: Understanding Japanese Values and its Influence on Business and Society – Lessons for Malaysia & ASEAN

Mr Norhisa Tsukamoto, Director, Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur (JFKL), Ms Cheong Lye Foon, President, AOTS Alumni Society of Malaysia, Ms Sharifah Asma Jamalulail, Japan Graduate and Panel 3 Moderator, Mr Gary Tang Kok Lian, President, Japan Graduates’ Association of Malaysia, Mr Isrami Ismail, President, Alumni Look East Policy Society (ALEPS).