Bridges: What is the role of the ASEAN-Japan Center?
Hirabayashi: The ASEAN-Japan Centre is the only international organization established within the framework of ASEAN and Japan. Our vision is “to be a regional champion of change toward human-centered, inclusive, sustainable and resilient society by contributing to the realization of the ASEAN-Japan common agenda in ASEAN VISION 2025 and SDGs through enhancing AJC’s targeted and strategic mandates in trade, investment, tourism and people-to people exchanges between ASEAN and Japan.” The Centre commits to strengthening the cooperation not only between ASEAN and Japan but also among those countries.
How closely aligned are Japan and Vietnam as the two countries celebrate 50 years of bilateral ties?
The beginning of Vietnam-Japan relations can be traced back to way further than 50 years when the two countries began close trade relations 400 years ago. Now, we are in the golden era of people-to-people exchanges as well as the economy despite various unexpected circumstances including the pandemic. For people-to-people exchanges, according to the latest statistics from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), the number of Vietnamese students studying in Japan in 2021 was 49,469, ranking the top among all ASEAN countries and the second among all. Meanwhile, the number of Japanese nationals who stay in Vietnam for more than three months increased up to 22,819, ranking the 4th among the ASEAN countries and the 13th among all in 2022. Vietnam-Japan trade and investment relations continue to develop as well. The trade volume between Japan and Vietnam in 2022 became approximately USD 42.7 billion, 11% increase from the previous year.
Aside from the major export products such as mobile phone and electronic parts, shoes and marine products have significantly grown up. The amount of investment from Japan to Vietnam was the 2nd largest in 2022 following Singapore, attracting USD 4.5 billion (approval based).
The beginning of Vietnam-Japan relations can be traced back to way further than 50 years when the two countries began close trade relations 400 years ago. Now, we are in the golden era of people-to-people exchanges as well as the economy despite various unexpected circumstances including the pandemic.
Kunihiko Hirabayashi, Secretary General of the ASEAN-Japan Center
As Prime Minister Kishida and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong agreed in February meeting on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam and the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, Vietnam and Japan will continue to strengthen and further develop the relations, especially in the areas of economic cooperation such as investment, GX (Green Transformation), and DX (Digital Transformation).
What does the future hold for the next generation within ASEAN member countries and Japan?
The next generation of ASEAN countries and Japan may be facing various issues common in the region together such as global warming, digital divide, aging society, plastic pollution and so on. Fortunately, we are not only close in distance but have strong economic as well as cultural ties. We share similar values that emphasize politeness, group-oriented mentality, love for food, appreciation for nature. With such a common background, I believe they will be able to collaborate, communicate, and connect with each other and create opportunities to promote regional stability and sustainable development. Therefore, the ASEAN-Japan Centre considers fostering leadership exchanges among the young people in the ASEAN countries and Japan important, and continues to enhance advocacy and communication, not only in the context of ASEAN-Japan but also among all ASEAN countries and Japan.
