Essays by five travel experts – revisiting Southeast Asia on GENIC

Masataka Fujita / Secretary General

I appreciate very much commemorative statements from all member states, all of which put our mind back at the time of establishment of 40 years ago. We renew our commitment again to strengthening further the relationship between ASEAN and Japan.

The year the Centre is celebrating its 40-year anniversary will be remembered because of special reasons. The pandemic of COVID-19 hit all the countries with vulnerable people being more severely affected.

ASEAN, in the meantime, has experienced a number of milestone events in recent years. The ASEAN Community was established in 2015. In 2017, ASEAN celebrated its 50^th year of establishment. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership which was concluded last year becomes effective in 2021. And in 2023, Japan and ASEAN will brace for the 50-year diplomatic relationship. These jubilant and awesome events surround the year of 40^th anniversary of establishment.

Opening the Centre with only six Member States (five original ASEAN Member States and Japan) in 1981 was meant for a new chapter for ASEAN and Japan in exploring, deepening and widening their relationships. The membership expanded fully to 11 countries by 2006. The past 40 years of achievements led the Centre to where it stands now, and it should listen to the voices from Member States and stakeholders, and respond to them sincerely.

The Centre’s position has constantly evolved. As one of the sectoral ministerial bodies as stipulated in the ASEAN Charter, the Centre should make constant efforts to become what it is deserved to be. I firmly believe that the Centre has to become a knowledge-based institute with knowledge workers. What is behind the mandate of the Centre as a promotional organization in the areas of trade, investment, tourism and exchange of persons is in the end to foster development, more precisely sustainable development. The Centre as a sustainable development institute based on knowledge is set for the preparation for the Golden Anniversary over the coming decade.

Dr. May Fa’ezah Ahmad Ariffin / Council Director for Brunei Darussalam

It is my great honour to convey our warmest congratulations to Mr. Masataka Fujita, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), the Government of Japan and the entire staff at the Centre on the auspicious occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the AJC.

As a well-established Centre, AJC has played an instrumental role in strengthening the relations between Japan and ASEAN Member States and in particular, the unwavering support, friendship and cooperation that have been rendered to the Government of Brunei Darussalam. In this regard, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Secretary Generals, past and present, for their leadership and valuable contributions in ensuring that the Centre continues to progress well and remains relevant.

We would also like to thank the staff for their commitment and support in implementing the programmes both for the national activities as well as across the respective clusters. The various activities have indeed contributed to a greater understanding and appreciation for the long-standing ties and cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and Japan, and more importantly the friendship and camaraderie between our people.

In the past 30 years, since Brunei became a member of AJC in 1990, Brunei has benefitted from the various programmes and activities. The programmes have been extensive, inclusive and comprehensive. These include Promoting Trade in Creative Industries with the Japan Institute of Design Promotion to promote creative industries in ASEAN and to increase the marketability of ASEAN products/services in Japan; the New Forms of Trade between Japan and ASEAN Programme that addresses the growing importance of Non-Equity Mode of Trades (NEM) in intensifying regional integration and its utilization in trade; and Programmes in Exchanges of Youths and Women which have shown AJC’s commitment in addressing these issues within the global community.

To date, Japan remains to be one of Brunei’s major trading partners. In 2020, exports to Japan accounted for 25.6% of Brunei’s total exports, comprising of Mineral Fuels and Chemicals. Imports from Japan accounted for 3.2% of total imports, which comprise of Manufactured goods, Machinery and Transport Equipment and Mineral Fuels. In the same year, Foreign Direct Investment from Japan in the non-oil and gas sector amounted to BND215 Million. Moving forward, we are optimistic that more cooperation could be fostered in the non-oil and gas sector. We believe AJC can help us to achieve this.

AJC has also played a tremendous role in its efforts to nurture a conducive environment in the region and as a nexus for trade, investment, tourism and exchanges to prosper not only between Brunei Darussalam and Japan but also within the region. I am confident that AJC will continue to become the centre of excellence for the promotion of trade and investment between ASEAN and Japan. This can be further enhanced by the rapid development of technology and digitalization.

In conclusion, we remain committed to work closely with the Centre in the years ahead, to ensure the cooperation between the two sides continues to grow. Once again, allow me to reiterate our warmest congratulations to the AJC on the 40th Anniversary and wish AJC continued success.

H.E. Mr. Sim Vireak / Council Director for the Kingdom of Cambodia

For almost five decades, ASEAN and Japan have been blessed with prolific relations on almost every fronts. Reaching its 40th anniversary this year, the ASEAN-Japan Centre is certainly one of our proudest achievements as we persistently seek to expand economic partnerships, promote people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between our peoples.

Cambodia expresses appreciation to the ASEAN-Japan Centre for its extensive roles and accomplishments. We are optimistic that, with the active contribution of ASEAN-Japan Centre, the dialogue relations between ASEAN and Japan will further reach new height. We would encourage the Centre to continue its path as an added value to further cementing the ASEAN-Japan relations. With collective efforts and hand-in-hand partnership, ASEAN and Japan can overcome any challenges, including the current COVID-19 pandemic and proactively contribute to the building of a shared future that is more sustainable, prosperous and resilient.

Cambodia has been, and will continue to be an eager contributor and supporter of the ASEAN-Japan Centre’s endeavor as well as the whole of the ASEAN-Japan dialogue relations.

Mr. KOBAYASHI Kenichi / Council Director for Japan

I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-Japan Centre.

Japan highly values the Centre’s great contribution in strengthening the relationship between Japan and ASEAN.

Over forty years, the Centre has promoted trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges which have become the foundation of our relationship. As our relationship has evolved over time, the challenges we face have also changed. I hope that the Centre will take this opportunity to enhance its value to the region.

I look forward to continuing working with my colleagues and the Centre for the further development of the Centre in the new age.

Mr. Latsamy Keomany / Council Director for Lao PDR

As a Coucil Director for the Lao PDR, I am honored to join Japan’s and ASEAN Member States’ Coucil Directors to celebrate an auspicious occasion of the 40^th Anniversary of the foundation of ASEAN-Japan Centre.

The Lao PDF highly values the important role and invaluable contribution contributed by the ASEAN-Japan Centre for the past four decades. Theses support and cooperation extended are well in line with ASEAN and Lao PDR’s pressing needs and priorities, including Covid-19 pandemic response, trade and investment as well as people to people linkages promotion.

Taking this opoortunity, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Japan for its continued commitment to support ASEAN community building, ASEAN-led mechanisms and ASEAN centrality which contributes not ony to strengthening ASEAN-Japan strategic partnership, but also to peace, stability and development cooperation in the region and the world at large.

We strongly believe that this 40^th Anniversary is another milestone of the centre to take stock of the past achievements and chart out future direction to bring ASEAN and Japan even closer together for the mutual benefits and well-being of out two regions’ peoples.

Wihile wishing the ASEAN-Japan centre, on its auspicious 40^th Anniversary, prosperous and continued progress in its endeavors, I would like to reiterate the Lao PDR’s commitment to further work with Japan and ASEAN Member States to advance both ASEAN-Japan centre’s mission and ASEAN-Japan strategic partnership to a higher plane.

“Long live ASEAN-Japn Centre”.
“Long live ASEAN-Japan Strategic Partnership”.

Mr. Mohd Zahid Abdullah / Council Director for Malaysia

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the ASEAN Japan Centre on its 40^th anniversary on 25 May 2021. This is indeed an auspicious occasion for all ASEAN Member States and Japan to celebrate since the establishment of the Centre on 25 May 1981. Without doubt, we have successfully worked hand-in-hand in promoting exports from ASEAN Member States to Japan as well as revitalizing investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges for the past 40 years. I am optimistic that the synergy that we have established thus far will be further strengthened through our strategic collaboration in the coming years as we navigate through these difficult times together to recover from the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Once again, congratulations to the ASEAN Japan Centre for the excellent work in promoting exports from ASEAN Member States to Japan.

H.E. Mr. Soe Han / Council Director for the Republic of the Union of Myanmar

It is a great honour and pleasure for me to extend my most cordial congratulations to the ASEAN-Japan Center on the auspicious occasion of the 40^th anniversary of its establishment.

Since after establishing in 1981, the ASEAN-Japan Center has been trying to promote trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges between ASEAN and Japan. ASEAN values its relations and cooperation with Japan, which remains one of the largest trade and investment partners.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Government and the people of Japan for its support, to the ambassadors of the ASEAN member states for their cooperation, to the Secretary-General and its staffs of the AJC for their relentless efforts for the success of the AJC’s vision and mission.

I am confident that our continued efforts will further strengthen the strategic partnership between ASEAN and Japan in the years to come.

Mr. Robespierre L. Bolivar / Council Director for the Republic of the Philippines

On behalf of the Philippine Government, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) on its 40^th Anniversary.

Throughout the last four decades, the AJC has increased goodwill and cooperation among ASEAN Member Countries and Japan, both in the government and private sector spheres.

The AJC has also provided an excellent platform for ASEAN Embassies in Tokyo to feature the best that our countries can offer in terms of trade, tourism, and culture.

Bilaterally, Japan is the Philippines’ foremost political, economic, and development partner and the AJC has played a crucial role in strengthening this enhanced strategic partnership.

As we look forward to more years of close and fruitful collaboration, we wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation and our wish for continued success to the women and men of ASEAN-Japan Centre.

Doumo arigato gozaimasu! Mabuhay!

Ms. Eunice Koh / Council Director for the Republic of Singapore

Singapore sends our congratulations to the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) on its 40th year anniversary!

The ASEAN-Japan relationship has evolved and AJC has played a unique and important role in fostering this special relationship and promoting partnerships amongst companies of the countries. Our engagement has become wide-ranging, with cooperation activities in areas such as trade facilitation, infrastructure, energy, innovation and technology. In the recent year, dialogues and cooperation initiatives on the digital economy have also taken place. Singapore, together with ASEAN, will continue to cooperate and enhance stronger trade and investment ties with Japan.

As countries continue to overcome the challenges brought on by COVID-19, I would like to encourage companies in this region to work closely with their Japanese counterparts, in rising fields like digitalisation and other technology solutions.

This year also marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Singapore and Japan. I look forward to many years of friendship and close partnership ahead!

Mr. Somdet Susomboon / Council Director for the Kingdom of Thailand

Sawasdee krub.

Dear ASEAN-Japan Member Countries,

2021 marks the 40^th anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan Centre. The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), would like to convey our heartfelt appreciation to our members for being the main driving forces behind AESAN-Japan’s strong cooperation trade for the past 40 years. In accordance with our efforts contribute to enhance the economy and trade between Japan and the ASEAN Member Countries which is a part to assist public and private sectors including entrepreneurs to be able to achieve the objectives effectively. Hereafter, DITP is looking forward to the coming decade of continuing support and close cooperation with all of you.

Happy Anniversary!

Kobkhun krub.

H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi / Secretary-General ASEAN Secretariat

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the ASEAN-Japan Centre on the occasion of its 40th Anniversary. Since its establishment in 1981, the Centre continues to play an important role in nurturing ASEAN-Japan relations that was founded on the “heart-to-heart” partnership enshrined in the Fukuda Doctrine. By conducting a large number of projects and activities, the Centre promoted exports, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges that have contributed greatly to the deepening of ASEAN-Japan relations, as well as enhancing mutual understanding and friendship amongst our peoples. For these efforts, I wish to convey ASEAN’s deep appreciation.

ASEAN and Japan have become indispensable partners. As we face an uncertain future because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we count on the Centre to continue providing the platform for strengthening ASEAN-Japan relations, fostering closer friendship and connection amongst our peoples. I wish the Centre continued success and many more anniversaries to come.

Mr. Vu Ba Phu / Council Director for the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

On behalf of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, I wish to convey my heartfelt congratulations in commemoration of the 40^th Year Anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC).

Over the past 40 years, AJC has devoted its efforts to support ASEAN member countries on promoting cooperation in the field of trade, investment and tourism. The programs and activities organized by AJC continues to receive high results and positive feedbacks from SME participants as well as government officials. Given this ocassion, I would like to congratulate and express my sincerest gratitude to AJC’s strong leadership and passionate team members.

We look forward to enhancing our strong partnership with AJC in the coming years, to achieving many more success and reaching new milestones together.

Mr. Kasan Muhri / Ex-Coucil Director* for the Republic of Indonesia
*Mr. Didi Sumedi is the CD since 4 May 2021.

I would like to extend my warm congratulations to the ASEAN-Japan Centre for its 40^th year anniversary.

Looking back 40 years since the establishment of the Centre in 1981, many programs have helped prmote trade, tourism, and invement in ASEAN member countries, particularly Indonesia, to the Japanese businesses. Economic interdependence between ASEAN and Japan has been steadily increasing, making ASEAN Japan’s second-larest trade partner. Private direct investment from Japan to ASEAN Member Countries over the past ten years has reached a substantial level further demonstrating the close economic linkages between ASEAN Member Countires and Japan.

I, on behalf of Indonesia, express our gratitude and hope this cooperaion can continue and advance a constructive and cooperative long-term relationship between ASEAN Member Counties and Japan, and beneficial to people to Japan and ASEAN Member Countires.

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