The 48^th ASEAN – Japan Business Meeting (AJBM) hosted by The Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai) as AJBM Japan was held at Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo, Japan from 7 – 9 December 2022.

The ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting (AJBM) is a multilateral, private-led forum between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The inaugural meeting was held in 1974 in Tokyo, Japan, on the initiative of Keizai Doyukai, one of the influential national business organizations in Japan.

Behind the creation of this forum was a strong belief among the Keizai Doyukai members of the time, that economic exchange on the private-sector level, supplementing official development aid, should play a key role to realize stability and development of the East-Asian countries. In comparison with other international conferences and forum, the AJBM is unique in providing an arena for private sector dialogue between Japan and ASEAN as a region.

The 48th AJBM, themed “ASEAN–Japan Cooperation to Create Future Values Together” discussed areas for mutual cooperation between ASEAN and Japan to build a sustainable society and human resources value chain. The meeting welcomed participants and speakers from across ASEAN and Japan comprising Japanese government officials, high-level business executives, representatives from the ASEAN diplomatic missions in Japan, thinktanks and the greater business community in Japan.

The Malaysian delegation led by Datuk Jason Tai Hee, Vice-President of MAJECA and Mr Yeonhang Chuah, Hon. Treasurer of MAJECA were accompanied by members and the Secretariat from the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) as AJBM Malaysia and the Embassy of Malaysia in Japan.

A group photo of the delegates from Brunei and Malaysia at the 48^th AJBM (from left to right):

Mr Shazali Sulaiman, AJBM Brunei, Mr Iqbal Abdullah, Founder / CEO, Laloka Labs LLC, Member of MAJECA, Datuk Jason Tai Hee, Vice-President, MAJECA, Mr Yeonhang Chuah, Hon. Treasurer, MAJECA, Mr Mr. Nor’ Azam Mohd Idrus, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of Malaysia in Japan, Mr Heng Zhenhung, Associate, One Asia Lawyers Group, Member of MAJECA, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MAJECA, Ms Thangeswary Paleswaran, First Secretary, Embassy of Malaysia in Japan, Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MAJECA.

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7 December 2022 (Wednesday)

• AJBM Steering Committee Meeting

A Steering Committee Meeting chaired by the Chairman of the 48^th AJBM and AJBM Japan, Mr Yuji Hirako (pic below, 2^nd from left) who is Vice-Chairman of ANA Japan was held to discuss the organisation of the next day’s Plenary Meeting and to discuss the plans for the 50^th Anniversary Year of ASEAN – Japan Relations in 2023.

AJBM Malaysia was represented by Datuk Jason Tai Hee (pic below, 2^nd from right), Vice-President, and Ms Ng Su Fun (pic below, right-most), Executive Secretary.

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• Welcome Reception

Following the Meeting of the AJBM Steering Committee, a Welcome Reception hosted by AJBM Japan was held. The following were photos taken:

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8 December 2022 (Thursday) – 48th ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting (AJBM) Plenary

• Opening Ceremony

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Following the Opening Ceremony, Plenary Session 1 titled “ASEAN-Japan Cooperation for the Realization of a Sustainable Society” was facilitated by Professor Yamamoto Yasumasa (pic below, left-most), Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Surviability, Adjunct Professor, Graduate School of Management, Kyoto University.

The panelists (pic below, right-to-left) comprised the following:

• Mr Mashita Naoaki, Keizai Doyukai & V-Cube (Japan)
• Mr Ngurah Swajaya (2nd pic, top-right), Special Staff to the Foreign Minister (Indonesia)
• Dr Thanong Bidaya, TTW Public Company (Thailand)
• Dato’ Ragu Sampasivam, East Coast Economic Region Development Council (Malaysia)

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The meeting then adjourned for a Lunch Session-cum-ASEAN-Japan Startup Panel titled “Meet the Change-Makers” faciliatated by Mr Honma Masahiko, Keizai Doyukai / Incubate Fund (Japan). The startup panelists at this session comprised:

• Mr Ryan Gondokusumo, CEO, Sribu (Indonesia)
• Mr Iqbal Abdullah, CEO / Founder, Laloka Labs (Malaysia)
• Dr Wiwat Wongwarawipat, Chairman, Instep Group (Thailand)
• Mr Kevin Nguyen, CEO, JobHopin (Vietnam)

(onstage, from left to right) Mr Honma Masahiko, SessionFacilitator, Keizai Doyukai / Incubate Fundand Mr Iqbal Abdullah, CEO / Founder, Laloka Labs.

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Plenary Session 2 titled “ASEAN-Japan Cooperation for Building a Sustainable Human Resources Value Chain” was facilitated by Professor Ichijo Kazuo, Professor of Innovation and Leadership, the International Institute of Management Development (IMD, Switzerland).

The panelists for the session comprised:

• Ms Grace Abella-Zata, Corporate Executive Search (Philippines)
• Ms Su-Yen Wong, Independent Director, Chairperson, Singapore Institute of Directors (Singapore)
• Ms Mai Hong Ngoc, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Vietnam)
• Mr Tsutsumi Hiroyuki, Keizai Doyukai / Fujitsu (Japan)

After, a Wrap-up & Closing Ceremony facilitated by Mr Yuji Hirako, Chairman of the 48^th AJBM was held to get the inputs, takeaways and comments from the AJBM representatives from Japan and ASEAN.

The Meeting then adjourned for a Closing Dinner. Mr Sakurada Kengo, (pic below) Chairman of Keizai Doyukai delivered his remarks.

The following were pictures taken at the Dinner:

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9 December 2022 (Friday)

A Steering Committee meeting chaired by Mr Yuji Hirako was held to discuss the organisation of the 49^th ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting.

Following that, two optional tours to ANA Holdings’ ANA Blue Base – a comprehensive training & human resource development centre for the whole ANA Group and SOMPO Care / Future Care Lab – a facility for demonstrating new technologies related to nursing care and welfare services, and for introducing these technologies to their facilities.

The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) hosted representatives from JAMECA, MATRADE Tokyo and MAJECA on 6 December 2022 for a meeting over dinner in Tokyo, Japan as part of ECERDC’s mission to Japan.

The meeting introduced the respective organisations, and highlighted areas for potential collaboration, partnership and investment. ECERDC was led by its Chief Executive Officer, YBhg Dato’ Baidzawi Che Mat, who was joined by YBhg Dato’ Ragu Sampasivam, Chief Operating Officer, Ms Sharmilaa Tan, Ms Farah Diba and Mr Iman Mustafar.

JAMECA was represented by Mr Mitsutaka Sato, who represented JAMECA’s President, Mr Tsuyoshi Nagano, Mr Kazuto Sasaki, Secretary General and Mr Kenji Horie. MATRADE was represented by Mr Niqman Rafaee, Director, MATRADE Tokyo and Ms Sonoko Yasue, Assistant Director, MATRADE Tokyo. MAJECA was represented by Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary and Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive.

From left-to-right:

Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MAJECA, Ms Sonoko Yasue, Assistant Director, MATRADE Tokyo, Ms Sharmilaa Tan, Investor Management, ECERDC, Mr Kazuto Sasaki, Secretary General, JAMECA, Mr Mitsutaka Sato, General Manager, Government and External Relations Dept., Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance (representing Mr Tsuyoshi Nagano, President, JAMECA), YBhg Dato’ Baidzawi Che Mat, CEO, ECERDC, Mr Kenji Horie, JAMECA, YBhg Dato’ Ragu Sampasivam, COO, ECERDC, Mr Niqman Rafaee, Director, MATRADE Tokyo, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MAJECA and Ms Farah Diba, ECERDC.

The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) paid a Courtesy Call on MAJECA on 1 December 2022 at MAJECA’s Office. The meeting discussed ECERDC’s development focus areas and expressed interest to work closely with MAJECA to highlight the investment potential of the East Coast Economic Region to Japanese investors.

YBhg Dato’ Ragu Sampasivam, Chief Operating Officer of ECERDC together with Ms Sharmilaa Tan and Ms Farah Diba met YBhg Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA. Joining him were Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary and Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive.

From left-to-right: Ms Sharmilaa Tan, Investor Management, ECERDC, YBhg Dato’ Ragu Sampasivam, Chief Operating Officer, ECERDC, YBhg Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA, Ms Farah Diba, ECERDC, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MAJECA and Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MAJECA

ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Malaysia had invited MAJECA to a closed-door online meeting on 3 November 2022 to discuss “Investment Opportunities and Challenges between Malaysia and Japan”.

This meeting was organised with the aim to facilitate an exchange of views on Malaysia’s continuous efforts to attract FDI into the country and foreign investors’ support needs in Malaysia and ASEAN, with a focus on the perspective of the Malaysia – Japan bilateral relationship.

Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, on behalf of Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President represented MAJECA at this meeting.

Members of the meeting included:

• Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Munir Majid, Chairman, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia
• H.E. Takahashi Katsuhiko, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia
• Mrs Najihah Abas, Executive Director Investment Promotion, MIDA
• Mr Mah Chun Wai, Director, Investor Relations – Asia and Oceania, InvestKL
• Mr Daiji Kojima, President, JACTIM
• Ms Mai Onozawa, Managing Director, JETRO Kuala Lumpur

Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal delivered his remarks.

Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President of Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) noted that there are new challenges ahead despite accelerating Japanese FDI in Malaysia.

He added that in the Malaysian and global context, Malaysia needs to continue presenting itself to be competitive and in a favourable environment, not only at the inception stage but continuously during the entire investment period.

He continued that as industries continue to operate during these turbulent times, one will see how the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic can be overcome, as well as how industries can navigate around the challenges arising from the war and hoped for a peaceful resolution to the war.

He echoed views of Ambassador Takahashi Katsuhiko of the importance and the opportunities presented by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the recent ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

These FTAs are progressive. Malaysia and the signatories should work together to reap benefits accorded under these agreements,” Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal said. According to Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, over 15,000 – 17,000 students from Malaysia benefited from the Look-East Policy where they went to Japan, studied and some of whom were gainfully employed there. These students were being equipped through education and practical experiences in Japan into skilled talents.

A group photo of the meeting participants.

(1^st row, from left-to-right) Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Munir Majid, Chairman, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon, Council Member, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, and H.E. Takahashi Katsuhiko, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia

(2^nd row, from left-to-right) Mr Daiji Kojima, President, JACTIM, Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA, and Ms Mai Onozawa, Managing Director, JETRO Kuala Lumpur

(3^rd row, from left-to-right) Mrs Najihah Abas, Executive Director Investment Promotion, MIDA, Mr Raja Singham, Council Member, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, and Mr Mah Chun Wai, Director, Investor Relations – Asia and Oceania, InvestKL

ASEAN BAC made a Press Release on 3 November 2022 and can be read here https://mailchi.mp/760415066682/asean-bac-malaysias-q2-2018-newsletter-updates-15074118?e=5ee9d4c72e.

iNNOVATE Tech Show, was produced by Best Events Productions Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI), with support from Malaysia Japan – Economic Association (MAJECA). It was held at MATRADE Exhibition & Convention Centre (MECC) Kuala Lumpur from 19 – 21 October 2022. The third installation of the Global Drone Conference and the second edition of Global Future Mobility Show were also co-located within the iNNOVATE Tech Show.

The iNNOVATE Tech Show, themed “Innovation and Technologies for a Better Future” gathered thought leaders and experts to meet and to share knowledge on innovation and to avail to collaborative opportunities. This show served as a platform for companies in Asia to discover game-changing innovations to achieve business goals and eventually making Malaysia into a high-tech and high-income nation.

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Day 1 Highlights

• Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony of the iNNOVATE Tech Show was graced by Dr. Nor Azlina binti Ariffin, Undersecretary, Transfer of Technology and R&D Commercialization Division, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) on behalf of YBhg Datuk Ts. Dr. Haji Aminuddin bin Hassim, Secretary General, MOSTI together with H.E. Diego Velasco, Ambassador of Chile to Malaysia. Ms Hanniz Lam, Managing Partner, Best Events Productions Sdn Bhd gave the welcome remarks.

YBhg Dato’ Taib Abdul Hamid, Vice-President of MAJECA attended the Opening Ceremony.

Day 1 Photo Gallery

YBhg Dato’ Taib Abdul Hamid, Vice-President, MAJECA visited the MAJECA booth.

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Day 2 Highlights

• Business-to-Business (B2B) Meet Up Session

A B2B Meet Up Session was organised by Malaysia – Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) and the Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA).

From left to right:
Mr Wong Kok Wai, Vice-President, United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd; Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive; Mr Pranab Kumar Ghosh, First Secretary (Commercial), High Commission for The People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary; Mr Mah Chun Wai, Director, Investor Relations – Asia & Oceania, InvestKL; Mr Chong Soon Yong, President, MyAIRA; Mr Nurshazani Mustafha, Embassy of Argentina; Mr Jorge Oscar Abate, Counsellor, Embassy of Argentina; Ms Rucia Shali, Second Secretary-Politics, High Commission of the Republic of Namibia; Mr Auni bin Alias, Head, Investor Promotion & Relation, Cyberview; YBhg Dato’ Haji Najmuddin Sharif bin Sarimon, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Negeri Sembilan

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Day 3 Highlights

•  Visit by YBhg Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President of MAJECA

YBhg Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President of MAJECA visited the iNNOVATE Tech Show. He was accompanied by YBhg Dato’ Taib Abdul Hamid, Vice-President; and Mr Yeonhang Chuah, Hon. Treasurer.

From left to right:
YBhg Dato’ Taib Abdul Hamid, Vice-President, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, YBhg Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, Mr Yeonhang Chuah, Hon. Treasurer and Mr Iqbal Abdullah, CEO / Founder, Laloka Labs (member of MAJECA).

They also visited the booth of Laloka Labs, a member of MAJECA.

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• C-Level Round Table Discussion on the Industrial Use of AI & Robotics

A C-Level Round Table Discussion was co-hosted by InvestKL, Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) and Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA).

This Round table Discussion discussed case studies on how AI & Robotics can help to reach sustainable development goals across industries. It focused on reasons for stepping up international cooperation, the issues and policy domains that appears most ready for enhanced collaboration and the instruments and forums that could be leveraged to achieve meaningful results in advancing international AI and Robotics standards, regulatory cooperation, and joint R&B projects to tackle global challenges.

YBhg Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President of MAJECA delivered the welcome remarks. A panel of experts from across the globe whose companies are based in Malaysia shared their experience, expertise and insights.

The first session of the Round Table, titled “The AI and IoT Market in Japan: Spearheading Industry Innovation” was moderated by Mr Masaki Ishibashi (left-most), Co-Founder, Toybox Creations & Technology Sdn Bhd.

The panel comprised the following (from 2^nd left to right): Mr Tozaki Toshio, Managing Director, Transcosmos Malaysia, Dr Darius Ngo, Business Innovation Unit Head and Mr Keiichi Sato, Robot Technical Center Manager, Mitsubishi Electric Sales Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

The second session of the Round Table, titled “Embracing Robotics Technology can help SMEs increase productivity in Malaysia” was moderated by Mr Melvin Ong (left-most), Founder and CEO, Karuna (Sarawak) Enterprise Sdn Bhd.

The panel comprised the following (from 2^nd left to right): Mr Jiin Joo Ong, CTO, Garuda Robotics, Mr Laurent Maillefer, Robotics Discrete Automation Business Head, ABB and Mr Jean-Bernard Boura, CEO, Pen Aviation.

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• iNNOVATE Tech Show 2022 Closing Ceremony

The Closing Ceremony of the iNNOVATE Tech Show also featured the signing of several MoUs and was witnessed by Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.

The MoUs signed include the following:

The Closing Ceremony of the iNNOVATE Tech Show was graced by Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail

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For full reading of the post-event Press Release, please find enclosed the Press Articles at the following link:

1. https://bestevents-asia.com/media/ 2. https://www.globaldroneconference.com/media/

The iNNOVATE Tech Show 2022, themed “Innovation and Technologies for a Better Future” will gather thought leaders and experts to meet and to share knowledge on technological innovation and to avail to collaborative opportunities. This show serves as a platform for companies in Asia to discover game-changing innovations to achieve business goals and eventually making Malaysia into a high-tech and high-income nation.

The iNNOVATE Tech Show 2022 is organized and produced by Best Events Productions Sdn Bhd and has received the support from the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI), InvestKL, MAJECA, MASSA, SME Corp, MDEC, APARA, MyAIRA, Sunway iLabs and Scaleup Malaysia and sponsors include Open University Malaysia, Meraque and Malvus Sense. More than 2,000 attendees from industry, government sector and academia from senior to top management are expected to visit this trade show.

The show will feature the following events:

1. Main Stage Programme, held on 19 – 21 October 2022 at Hall A, MECC
2. Third Edition of the Global Drone Conference, held on 19 -21 October 2022 at Paris 1 & 2 Room, Level 3, MECC
3. C-Level AI and Robotics Roundtable, held on 21 October 2022, at Dubai 2 Room, Level 3, MECC

MAJECA as a supporting partner of the iNNOVATE Tech Show 2022 was present at a Press Conference for the show on 22 September 2022 at MRANTI Park.

MAJECA was represented by Ms Ng Su Fun. The panel also comprised of Ms Hanniz Lam, organiser and Mr Safuan Zairi, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer, MRANTI.

For further reading, please find enclosed the Press Articles at the following link:

1. https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/bots/2022/10/839787/tech-innovate-tech-show-2022-showcase-latest-drone-technologies
2. https://www.sinchew.com.my/?p=4137310
3. https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2022/09/23/innovate-tech-show-2022-driving-businesses-towards-digitalization-and-sustainability/
4. https://ramarama.my/innovate-tech-show-2022-memacu-perniagaan-ke-arah-pendigitalan-dan-kemampanan/
5. https://www.disruptr.com.my/mranti-propels-drone-tech-at-the-innovate-tech-show-2022/
6. https://www.businessnews.com.my/regional-drone-ecosystem-players-gather-innovate/
7. https://www.getaran.my/artikel/tara/32067/innovate-tech-show-2022-memacu-perniagaan-ke-arah-pendigitalan-dan-kemampanan

From left-to-right:
Ms Hanniz, Managing Partner, Best Events Productions Sdn Bhd, Mr Mohd Safuan Mohd Zairi, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer, MRANTI and Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MAJECA

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Visit to MakersLab at MRANTI Park

MakersLab is an innovator’s playground to design & develop solutions rapidly through quick, affordable & convenient access to tools, equipment, space and expertise. Aimed to become the country’s one-stop powerhouse that empowers the community to gather, ideate, learn, dialogue, collaborate, & materialise solutions in response to real life changes. MakersLab offers services such as prototyping, consultancy services and workshops (https://mranti.my/mranti-park/facilities/living-lab/makerslab).

From the left:
Ms Nur Syuhaida, Secretariat, MAJECA, Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MAJECA, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MAJECA, Mr William, Mr Ramesh Pillai, Community Engagement Director, Stem4AllMakerspace and Mr Daryl

The 48^th ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting, (AJBM) Preparatory Meeting was held on 30 September 2022 hosted by Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives).

This meeting was chaired by Mr Yuji Hirako, Chairman, 48th AJBM & Vice Chairman, ANA Holdings Inc.

Attendees from the AJBM Malaysia Committee led by Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MAJECA comprised:

• Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA
• Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Micheal Yeoh Oon Kheng, Hon. Secretary, MAJECA
• MAJECA Secretariat: Ms Ng Su Fun & Mr Samuel Loh.

Representatives from Keizai Doyukai and the ASEAN AJBM Steering Committees were in attendance.

The meeting begun with welcome remarks from Mr Yuji Hirako, followed by comments from the leaders of the AJBM Steering Committees.

The 48^th AJBM is scheduled to be held on hybrid format from Tokyo, at Shinagawa Prince Hotel from 7 – 9 December 2022. The Meeting proper will be held on 8 December 2022.

The Steering Committee agreed on the theme for the 48^th AJBM: “ASEAN-Japan Cooperation to Create Future Value Together – Building a Sustainable Society and People”.

ASEAN and Japan will celebrate 50 Years of ASEAN – Japan relations in 2023. The Meeting will deliberate on how the ASEAN – Japan relationship can evolve and further develop going past this 50^th year milestone.

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Group photos of the participants from the AJBM Steering Committees from ASEAN and Japan, Keizai Doyukai:

With courtesy of The EDGE:

By Mr Kuek Ser Kwang Zhe, “Walking Down Memory Lane”, 25 July 2022, 40th Anniversary of the Look East Policy Magazine, The EDGE, pages 16 – 18