Wikipedia

Draft:ASEAN-Japan Centre

  • Comment: Too many of the sources are not independent. We need less ASEAN and ASEAN-member country government sources and more news reportage and academic coverage. Stuartyeates (talk) 09:41, 17 April 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: (Not sure what template to use to reply) Included more academic sources Byrnachi (talk) 07:34, 1 May 2024 (UTC)


ASEAN-Japan Centre
AbbreviationAJC
Formation25 May 1981; 42 years ago (1981-05-25)[1]
TypeTrade, Investment, and Tourism Promotion Centre
Legal statusTreaty[2]
PurposeSocial and Economic Promotion[2]
HeadquartersShin Onarimon Bldg. 6-17-19 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan[3]
Region served
ASEAN, Japan
Membership
11 countries[1]
Secretary General
Kunihiko Hirabayashi (from 1 September 2021)[4]
Main organ
Council of Directors[5]
Websiteasean.or.jp
The member states of the ASEAN-Japan Centre

The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) (国際機関日本アセアンセンター, Kokusai Kikan Nihon ASEAN Sentā) formally known as the ASEAN Promotion Centre on Trade, Investment and Tourism, is an intergovernmental organization comprising of the 10 ASEAN member states and Japan.[1]

The primary objectives as stated by the Centre’s founding documents are “to enhance an economic partnership between Japan and the ASEAN Member Countries to Japan, particularly that of semi-processed and manufactured products; to accelerate the flow of investment between Japan and the ASEAN Member Countries including the transfer of skill and technology; to vitalize tourist traffic between Japan and the ASEAN Member Countries; and to expand exchanges of persons through close cooperation between Japan and the ASEAN Member Countries.”[2] These agendas have largely been advanced through the form of bilateral and multilateral projects.[6]

As of 2013, it was the first of only four such governmental centres in state capitals.[7] Its establishment represented the institutionalization and stable development of the economic ties between Japan and the ASEAN countries.[8]

History edit

The ASEAN-Japan Centre was established on 25 May 1981 under the treaty between the governments of ASEAN member states and Japan, with its founding members being Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Japan.[1]

Its founding was driven by Japan’s foreign policy posture towards ASEAN at the time, largely spurred by the Fukuda Doctrine which emphasized Japan’s intention to engage with the ASEAN member states as equal partners.[9]

Expansion

On 8 June 1990, Brunei became the ASEAN-Japan Centre’s seventh member.[10]

On 12 February 1998, Vietnam became the ASEAN-Japan Centre’s eighth member.[10]

Cambodia, despite joining ASEAN later than Laos and Myanmar, became the ASEAN-Japan Centre’s ninth member on 11 June 2001.[10]

Laos became the tenth member on 20 March 2002.[10]

Myanmar became the eleventh and latest member to join on 27 April 2006.[10]

Location

At the time of its founding in 1981, the ASEAN-Japan Centre’s Secretariat was located on the sixth floor of the World Import Mart Building in Sunshine City, a mall in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.[1]

The Secretariat was then relocated to the Central Building in Ginza in April 1987.[1]

In 2009, the Secretariat shifted its location again to the Shin Onarimon Building in Shimbashi, where it currently remains.[3]

Member states edit

List of member states of the ASEAN-Japan Centre[1]

State Accession (YYYY/MM/DD)
Brunei 1990-06-08
Cambodia 2001-06-11
Indonesia 1981-05-25
Japan 1981-05-25
Laos 2002-03-20
Malaysia 1981-05-25
Myanmar 2006-04-27
Philippines 1981-05-25
Singapore 1981-05-25
Thailand 1981-05-25
Vietnam 1998-02-12

Organization structure edit

The ASEAN-Japan Centre consists of a Council, an Executive Board, and a Secretariat.[5]

Council

The Council is the supreme policy-making body of the organization, consisting of 11 directors appointed by and representing each member state.[2]

Overall, they are responsible for approving the annual program and budget, and the appointment the Secretary General, among other roles.[2]

Council Directors of the ASEAN-Japan Centre as of 1 February 2023[5]
State Council Director Title and Affiliation
Brunei Dr. Hajah May Fa’ezah Haji Ahmad Ariffin Permanent Secretary (Economy)

Ministry of Finance and Economy

Cambodia H.E. Mr. Yeap Samnang Director General

General Department of ASEAN
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Indonesia Mr. Didi Sumedi Director General

National Export Development
Ministry of Trade

Japan Mr. Nakamura Ryo Director General / Assistant Minister

Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Laos Mr. Chatoulong Bouasisavath Director General

ASEAN Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Malaysia Dr. Sugumari A/P S. Shanmugam Senior Director

ASEAN Economic Integration Division
Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)

Myanmar H.E. Mr. Soe Han Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to Japan
Philippines Mr. Robespierre L. Bolivar Deputy Chief of Mission

Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Japan

Singapore Ms. Eunice Koh Assistant CEO

Asia Pacific
Enterprise Singapore

Thailand Mr. Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit Director General

Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP)

Vietnam Mr. Vu Ba Phu Director General

Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE)
Ministry of Industry and Trade

Secretariat

At present, the executive arm of the organization, led by the Secretary General, consists of the Office of the Secretary General, the Office of General Affairs and one operational department consisting of the Research and Policy Advocacy (RPA) Team, the Strategic Country Support (CS) Team, the Bilateral Programme (BP) Team, and the Tourism and Exchange (TE) Team.[5]

The Secretary General is an appointed position that lasts for three years per term and may be reappointed.[2]

List of past secretaries-general
# Term Name Country
1 1981-1983 Sashichiro Matsui[11] Japan
2 1984-1987 Fumihiko Suzuki[12] Japan
3 1988-1990 Fumiya Okada[13] Japan
4 1991-1996 Yutaka Nomura[14] Japan
5 1997-2002 Takashi Onda[15] Japan
6 2003-2007 Nobutoshi Akao[16] Japan
7 2008-2014 Yoshikuni Ohnishi[17] Japan
8 2015-2020 Masataka Fujita[18] Japan
9 2021-present Kunihiko Hirabayashi[19] Japan

Past activities edit

1980s

In 1977, during his visit to the Philippines, Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda introduced the Fukuda Doctrine, which later evolved into the guiding principles of ASEAN diplomacy during 1980s. This doctrine emphasized three key goals: Japan’s commitment to refrain from military expansion, the establishment of a "Heart-to-Heart" relationship with ASEAN, and the equal partner of ASEAN and its member countries. Shortly thereafter, the first ASEAN-Japan Summit convened in Kuala Lumpur,[20] followed by the ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 1978,[21] marking the commencement of a diplomatic friendship dialogue[22] between ASEAN and Japan, with Japan emerging as one of ASEAN’s key dialogue partners.

The ASEAN-Japan Centre was established on May 25, 1981, through an agreement between ASEAN member countries and Japan, with the aim of fostering mutual understanding between Japan and Southeast Asia. Key initiatives including the promotion of Japanese companies trade and investment and facilitating the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP),[23] alongside with Japanese language education, have been central to the Japanese foreign policy including the Centre's activities during 1980s.[24][25]

The Centre also plays a role in supporting outbound tourism, promoting ASEAN as a holiday destination to Japanese people. After attending an ASEAN heads-of-state meeting in Manila in 1987, then Japanese Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita pledged to double the voluntary contribution to the Centre to further promote tourism to ASEAN.[26]

2000s

During the early 2000s, the Centre underwent significant reforms to enhance its functions and activities in accordance with the directives of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in 2003.[27] The Eminent Persons Committee (EPC) was established following the decision of the 8th ASEAN-Japan Summit to facilitate this reform process. The EPC convened twice, firstly on 31 May 2005 in Tokyo, Japan, and subsequently during 3-4 October 2005 in Bali, Indonesia, where it concluded its interim report.[28] The EPC's final report was submitted to the Council Directors after its conclusive meeting on 4-5 April 2006 in Tokyo, Japan. The 30th ASEAN-Japan Summit[29] also played an important role in shaping the Centre's agenda and priorities during this period. Discussions and agreements reached during the summit informed the direction of collaborative efforts between ASEAN member states and Japan, further influencing the Centre's overall activities and initiatives.

Afterwards, the Centre expanded its scope of activities and missions such as assisting the BIMP-EAGA member countries, expecting technical support of Japanese experts to 112 ASEAN companies related to product designs, organizing the ASEAN Tourism Festival[28] in 2005 with 64,000 visitors, and six Japanese investment missions to ASEAN countries.

The Centre also played a role in capacity building. One of the areas is in building national brands. ASEAN companies or countries would reach out directly to seek consultation from the Centre on how they might be able to market their products in Japan.[30]

In 2007, the ASEAN-Japan Centre underwent another round of reform, following the recommendations of the Eminent Persons Committee.[7] These reforms were geared towards fortifying the Centre's role and efficacy in fostering multiple approaches between ASEAN and Japan. In 2009, the ASEAN-Japan Hall[31] was established as a meeting venue for ASEAN-Japan various events to promote trade, investment, tourism and intercultural exchanges.

2010s-present

To mark the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan relationship, the ASEAN-Japan Centre hosted commemorative events including the “Japan-ASEAN Business and Investment Forum: Road to ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum,”[32] which highlighted the progress of Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025. The Centre also organized “The ASEAN Foundation Model ASEAN Meeting Plus Japan 2023,” which took place in November 2023 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. The program was participated by 72 students and youth delegates to discuss and debate about pan regional issues, such as cybercrime, post-COVID recovery, and empowerment of youth leaders in education.[33]

In 2023, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations, a logo depicting the milestone was created.[34] The management and accreditation of the logo and its relevant assets was fulfilled by the ASEAN-Japan Centre.[35]

In 2024, the ASEAN-Japan Centre, in conjunction with JETRO and Thailand’s Department of Trade Negotiations, conducted a workshop on the utilization of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).[36] At the workshop, SMEs in Thailand were taught on how FTAs such as the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA), the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) may be utilized.

Funding edit

The budget for the ASEAN-Japan Centre is financed from obligatory and voluntary contributions from its member states. The obligatory contribution of each country is based on the terms set in the international treaty that established the ASEAN-Japan Centre.

In the original 1980 treaty,[2] under Article X, it was stated that “except for the rent of the permanent ASEAN Trade Investment and Tourism Exhibition Hall, which shall be borne by Japan”, the “budget of the Centre shall be met in the following proportion: Japan: 90 per cent, the ASEAN member countries: 10 per cent.

In 2007, the agreement was amended to have Japan bear 87.5 per cent of the budget, with the ASEAN member countries bearing 12.5 per cent.[37]

Significance edit

For 28 years since 1981, the ASEAN-Japan Centre remained as the only of such centres until similar centres were established in Seoul(the ASEAN-Korea Centre in 2009), Beijing(the ASEAN-China Centre in 2011), New Dehli(the ASEAN-India Centre in 2012), and Moscow(the MGIMO’s ASEAN Centre in 2010).[7]

In 2017, the Labor Party of Australia promised to open an ASEAN studies centre, referencing examples in the US, Japan, Korea, and India.[38] In March 2024, Australian Prime Minister and Labor Party Leader, Anthony Albanese enacted the Melbourne Declaration, in which the establishment of an ASEAN-Australia Centre in Canberra was announced. The opening of the ASEAN-Australia Centre is expected to occur in July 2024.[39]

In March 2023, the International Trade and Investment Coordinator for the City of Los Angeles, Sam Baron, and Aide to the US Deputy Secretary of State, Abhinav Seetharaman, wrote that the US should follow in the footsteps of Japan and India in establishing a “dedicated institution to head up its economic and cultural engagement with Southeast Asia.”[40] At the 2023 US-ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, US Vice President Kamala Harris announced the intent to establish a US-ASEAN Center through a public-private partnership with Arizona State University (ASU).[41] The US-ASEAN Center celebrated its opening on 15 December 2023 with Under Secretary of State of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs of the US Department of State, Liz Allen, delivering the opening remarks.[42]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g About: Outline Archived 3 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine, asean.or.jp.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Agreement Establishing the ASEAN Promotion Centre on Trade, Investment and Tourism" (PDF). 22 December 1980. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ a b About: Access Archived 3 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine, asean.or.jp.
  4. ^ "Kunihiko Hirabayashi Appointed as the Secretary General of ASEAN-Japan Centre" (PDF). 24 September 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d About Us: Organization Archived 17 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine, asean.or.jp.
  6. ^ ASEAN-JAPAN CENTRE, ebsco.com.
  7. ^ a b c Shiraishi, Takashi; Kojima, Takaaki (5 December 2013). ASEAN-Japan Relations. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 22. ISBN 978-981-4519-34-2. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  8. ^ ASEAN-JAPAN CONTEMPORARY RELATIONS: From Selective Engagement to Comprehensive Japanese Involvement- With Focus on the Dynamics and Prospective Interface Archived 10 June 2023 at the Wayback Machine, jiia.or.jp.
  9. ^ Japan and ASEAN Pamphlet Archived 15 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine, mofa.go.jp.
  10. ^ a b c d e ASEAN-JAPAN DIALOGUE RELATIONS Archived 11 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine, wtocenter.vn.
  11. ^ トランスポート / 運輸振興協会 編 33(8) 1983.08
  12. ^ 経済と外交 (747) (経済外交研究会, 1984-08)
  13. ^ 「ハーバード大学史－学長さんたちの成功と失敗－」を読んで Archived 10 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine, chiikikagaku-k.co.jp.
  14. ^ 国際開発ジャーナル 4月(509) (国際開発ジャーナル社, 1999-04)
  15. ^ MATRADE: The Malaysia International Trade Link, lib.perdana.org.my.
  16. ^ 日アセアンセンター赤尾信敏総長に聞く Archived 11 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine, nna.jp.
  17. ^ 日本アセアンセンター新事務総長の選出について Archived 11 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine, mofa.go.jp.
  18. ^ 東南アジア諸国連合貿易投資観光促進センター拠出金 Archived 28 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine, mofa.go.jp.
  19. ^ 国際機関日本アセアンセンターの事務総長に平林国彦が着任 Archived 3 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine, mofa.go.jp.
  20. ^ Japan-ASEAN Friendship and Cooperation: Shared vision, shared identity, shared future Archived 29 July 2023 at the Wayback Machine, asean.org.
  21. ^ DIPLOMATIC BLUEBOOK FOR 1978 Chapter 3: Diplomatic Efforts Made by Japan Archived 5 June 2023 at the Wayback Machine, mofa.go.jp.
  22. ^ A Message in the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Archived 11 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine, keidanren.or.jp.
  23. ^ The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) Archived 4 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine, www.cao.go.jp.
  24. ^ ASEAN-Japan Cooperation: A Foundation for East Asian Community Archived 10 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine, jcie.org.
  25. ^ Then and Now: A Structured Approach Analysis of Japan’s Cultural Diplomacy Towards Thailand Archived 3 June 2023 at the Wayback Machine, brill.com.
  26. ^ "ANALYZING JAPAN'S OUTBOUND TOURISM POLICY" (PDF). 14 May 2006. p. 31. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024..
  27. ^ The ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit Meeting Archived 7 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine, mofa.go.jp.
  28. ^ a b EXECUTIVE REPORT: PROGRESS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ASEAN-JAPAN PLAN OF ACTION Archived 1 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine, mofa.go.jp.
  29. ^ Establishment of the East Asia Economic Community (EAEC) Archived 21 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine, doyukai.or.jp.
  30. ^ "Nation branding and integrated marketing communications: an ASEAN perspective". March 2010. p. 394..
  31. ^ ASEAN-Japan Centre: Strategic Vision of the Centre and Its Activities 2019-2020 Archived 4 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine, asean.or.jp.
  32. ^ ASEAN-Japan Centre’s Commemorative Event for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation (Attendance by Ambassador Kiya) Archived 4 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine, www.asean.emb-japan.go.jp.
  33. ^ AJC: Fostering youth diplomacy and leadership skills Archived 9 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine, japantimes.co.jp.
  34. ^ 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Archived 11 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine, gov-online.go.jp.
  35. ^ 日本ASEAN友好協力50周年事業 オフィシャルロゴマーク・キャッチフレーズの使用及び 記念事業認定の申請について Archived 21 September 2023 at the Wayback Machine, mofa.go.jp.
  36. ^ タイ商務省、日本アセアンセンターやジェトロとFTA活用ワークショップ開催 Archived 11 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine, jetro.go.jp.
  37. ^ "2008 Amendments to the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN Promotion Centre on Trade, Investment and Tourism (ASEAN-Japan Centre)" (PDF). 20 November 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  38. ^ Labor promises ASEAN studies centre and Asian language learning Archived 18 May 2022 at the Wayback Machine, campusmorningmail.com.au.
  39. ^ ‘Melbourne Declaration’ affirms ASEAN and Australia partnership for the future Archived 17 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine, pm.gov.au.
  40. ^ U.S. needs its own 'ASEAN center' Archived 30 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine, asia.nikkei.com.
  41. ^ Establishment of a U.S.-ASEAN Center in Washington, D.C. Archived 15 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine, state.gov.
  42. ^ UNDER SECRETARY ALLEN OPENS THE U.S.-ASEAN CENTER IN WASHINGTON, D.C. Archived 16 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine, asean.usmission.gov.
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