As Thailand and Japan move toward the milestone of 140 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, the partnership between both nations continues to evolve beyond its traditional foundations in trade and investment. Today, the relationship is increasingly defined by strategic cooperation in advanced manufacturing, food security, digital transformation, sustainability, and cultural exchange. In this exclusive interview with Bridges Magazine, Mrs. Suphajee Suthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand, shares her perspective on the enduring significance of Thailand – Japan relations, Thailand’s evolving economic priorities, and the proactive initiatives shaping the next chapter of bilateral cooperation.

Bridges: How do you define the significance of the enduring partnership between Japan and Thailand?

Suphajee Suthumpun: The friendship between Japan and Thailand is an enduring alliance that has stood the test of time. Since the establishment of our diplomatic relations in 1887, our partnership has been rooted in deep-seated trust, cultural affinity, and profound mutual interests. As we approach our 140th anniversary in 2027, marking one of the most storied relations in the region, this foundation continues to drive our steady progress and remains a vital pillar of economic stability for Asia.

Building on this unwavering confidence, we elevated our ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. In today’s volatile global landscape, our focus is sharpened on enhancing technological synergy and fortifying supply chain resilience, the very heartbeat of modern sustainable growth.

Japan is far more than our third-largest trading partner; it is a foundational architect of the Thai industrial landscape. As our top cumulative investor, Japan’s steadfast confidence is reflected in the nearly 6,000 Japanese companies operating in Thailand. These investments represent more than just capital; they embody decades of knowledge transfer, job creation, and the building of a robust industrial ecosystem where our supply chains have become inseparable.

What strategic advantages and facilitation measures does Thailand offer to empower Japanese trade and investment?

Amidst global geopolitical fluctuations, Thailand stands ready as Japan’s trusted partner and a strategic gateway for supply chain diversification. By synergizing the world-class infrastructure of our Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) with an aggressively expanding Free Trade Agreement (FTA) network. We currently boast 14 active FTAs including foundational pacts like JTEPA AJCEP and RCEP and are expediting signed agreements with EFTA, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, alongside advancing landmark negotiations with the European Union. To ensure this extensive network translates into tangible cost reductions.

A decisive factor for Japanese confidence is the Thai workforce’s decades of experience and familiarity with Japanese work philosophies. We are cultivating a new generation of engineers for New S-Curve industries, ensuring a cost-effective and highly competitive management structure. In addition to this human capital excellence, Thailand’s true standout feature is our robust and comprehensive supporting industries. Thailand offers more than just skilled labor; it provides a mature ecosystem of local suppliers ready to integrate immediately with Japan’s advanced technologies in auto parts, electronics, and precision machinery.

While Thailand’s strength as an export hub is well-established, the government is fully committed to facilitating seamless business operations. We have modernized our ecosystem through a full Digital Government model, featuring e-Tax systems and e-Work Permits, and introduced the “Thailand FastPass” to expedite large-scale investments in target industries.

What are the core directions of Thailand’s trade policy, and what is your perspective on the prospects for mutual economic development between two nations?

The Ministry of Commerce believes that the essence of growth in the modern era lies not in competing for higher production volumes, but in fostering value addition throughout the entire process. We are therefore accelerating our economic restructuring toward a Value-based Economy, a strategic transition from quantity to quality that prioritizes value creation across three pivotal dimensions. These pillars represent areas where Thailand and Japan can achieve perfect synergy as strategic partners, namely:

Dimension 1: Elevating Agriculture and Food Security Thailand is undergoing a major structural shift in agricultural trade, moving from a supply-driven to a demand-driven model. By utilizing Data and AI to forecast global market demands alongside advanced processing under the Zero Waste concept while promoting Future Food innovations. This restructuring firmly declares Thailand’s readiness to be Japan’s highly trusted partner in Global Food Security.

Dimension 2: Elevating the Service Sector to a Global Medical and Long-stay Hub We are pivoting toward generating high-value revenue from our service sector by leveraging Thailand’s innate strengths in culture, cuisine, and history. We offer distinct experiences paired with unparalleled safety standards, aiming specifically to elevate our status as an international Medical & Wellness Hub. Given Japan’s Super-Aged Society, we see a tremendous opportunity to integrate Japan’s advanced eldercare technologies with the unique Thai Service Mind. By championing the concepts of Care Tourism and Longevity, we aim to transform demographic challenges into new economic opportunities and professions, perfectly fulfilling the premium retirement lifestyle needs of Japanese citizens.

Dimension 3: Digital Empowerment and Transformation I always emphasize that Digital Transformation is a survival imperative and our greatest gateway of opportunity. We are leveraging AI and Data Analytics to upgrade our Trade Intelligence System into a precise compass. This empowers businesses to transition accurately into demand-driven manufacturing. Furthermore, we are intensively enhancing the Ease of Doing Business through our MOC+ platform. This digital One-Stop Service fully streamlines licensing, business registrations, certificates of origin, and access to FTA benefits, creating a fast, transparent ecosystem that entrepreneurs can manage seamlessly online, 24/7.

Looking toward 2026, what proactive initiatives is the Ministry of Commerce driving to elevate Thailand-Japan trade relations?

Looking ahead to our trade promotion initiatives in 2026, the Ministry of Commerce is driving a proactive strategy aligned with the green and digital economic transitions of both nations.

In our first dimension, we aim to elevate our cooperation into a Co-Creation Partnership, connecting Japanese innovative firms with Thai entrepreneurs in targeted sectors such as future food and low-carbon industrial parts. This initiative is complemented by our efforts to elevate production standards to meet global sustainability requirements, thereby maintaining the resilience of our shared supply chains. Furthermore, Thailand continues to propel Thai enterprises onto Japan’s premier trade platforms such as FOODEX Japan, Fashion World Tokyo, and TIFFCOM to endlessly expand commercial opportunities, while consistently promoting Thai products through retail malls and online platforms.

In tandem with these initiatives, our second dimension focuses on penetrating the market with Soft Power. Today, Thai cultural products and services, ranging from Thai SELECT certified cuisine to digital content and modern lifestyles, are enjoying immense popularity in Japan. The most exquisite manifestation of this cultural synergy is the Thai Kimono Project. This collaboration between the Ministry of Commerce and Omiya Co., Ltd., a major Japanese kimono manufacturer, utilizes hand-woven textiles from the “Fun with Thai Fabrics” project, a royal initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, to create invaluable kimonos.

The collection was launched in Tokyo in late 2025 and secured over 1,000 pre-orders before its nationwide release in Japan in March 2026. This success transcends mere commercial figures; it is a profound testament to the seamless integration of Thai craftsmanship with Japan’s iconic cultural symbols in a contemporary manner. It reflects our mutual respect and provides a crucial foundation for co-developing innovative products that will drive our economies into the future.

Any closing remarks?

I am profoundly confident that the Japan-Thailand relationship will continue to advance with unwavering strength, driven by our long-standing trust, a shared vision, and a mutual commitment to forging a stable, sustainable, and opportunity-rich future for our nations and our people.

Thailand stands ready to be Japan’s indispensable partner in the region not only as a premier manufacturing base and a strategic distribution hub, but as a steadfast ally fully committed to supporting the sustainable growth of the Japanese private sector with absolute stability and trust.

As global economic and geopolitical dynamics continue to shift, Thailand and Japan’s long-standing partnership remains anchored by trust, adaptability, and shared ambition. From supply chain resilience and digital innovation to cultural collaboration and sustainable growth, both countries are positioning themselves not only as economic partners, but as co-creators of future regional stability and prosperity. With 2027 approaching as a symbolic milestone year, the relationship stands poised to deepen further, reflecting a partnership that continues to evolve while remaining firmly grounded in decades of mutual respect and cooperation.

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