Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez exhorted Japan to further boost its investment and technology cooperation with ASEAN countries, at a public symposium titled “ASEAN and Japan: A Year of Win-Win” hosted by the hosted by the University of Niigata Prefecture at the International House of Japan in Tokyo last January 15.

Amb. Lopez calls for more Japanese FDI to ASEAN (Photo: University of Niigata Prefecture-Tokyo Satellite office)

The symposium looked into the prospects of ASEAN and Japan’s relationship as both gear up for the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community this 2015, and as Japan continues to strive for sustained revitalization under Abenomics and by benefiting from economic engagement with regional partners. Niigata Prefectural University President Takashi Inoguchi sees the event as the institution’s contribution to jumpstarting “much-needed dialogue at the grass roots level between the ASEAN and Japan”.

Amb. Lopez fields questions from symposium participants (Photo: University of Niigata Prefecture-Tokyo Satellite office)

Ambassador Lopez cited the vital role that Japanese FDI and technology have long played in ASEAN’s emergence as one of the world’s most economically dynamic regions. “Japan’s continued investments and provision of technology support to the Philippines and other ASEAN countries will similarly be key to defining the ASEAN-Japan partnership as ASEAN and the larger region move toward economic integration”, the Ambassador emphasized.

Ambassador Lopez joined a distinguished roster of speakers and panelists, including former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Singapore’s First Deputy Prime Minister Tharnam Shanmugaratnam and Niigata Governor Hirohiko Izumida. Participants included ASEAN and Japanese academics, as well as experts and practitioners in the field of cultural exchanges, economic diplomacy and regional security affairs. Ambassador Lopez was accompanied by Philippine Embassy Economic Officer Arnel M. Sanchez. END

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