During 14 – 18 October 2023, H.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied H.E. Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, to attend the ASEAN – Japan Commemorative Summit for the 50^th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo.

Key activities during the Visit to Japan are as follows.

(1) The ASEAN – Japan Commemorative Summit Thailand has played an important role as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations, and has pushed forward cooperation in regional connectivity, sustainable development, energy transition, and the promotion of digital economy in ASEAN, which is estimated to increase to 2 trillion USD in 2030.

The Prime Minister also proposed cooperation on soft power and invited Japan to cooperate in the creative industry, encompassing design, fashion, food, music, arts and culture, and digital content. Leaders of ASEAN and Japan adopted the Joint Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and its Implementation Plan which set out the direction for further advancing ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

(2) Bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan Both sides discussed future cooperation, especially on trade and investment, as well as measures to assist Japanese automakers operating in Thailand, which will also further benefit Thai entrepreneurs who are part of the supply chain. Thailand also approved short-term visa exemption for Japanese businesspeople. In addition, the Thai side also encouraged cooperation on new economic areas, such as soft power and digital economy.

(3) Meetings with the Japanese private sector The Prime Minister met with executives of 10 Japanese companies, 7 of which were automakers, namely Suzuki, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, and Toyota and 3 companies from targeted industries, namely Mitsui, Kubota, and Panasonic, as well as Japan’s MUFG which operates in Thailand. In addition, the Prime Minister also discussed with Muji about its successful experiences on promoting local products and approaches to assist local Thai entrepreneurs and invited Muji to expand its operations in Thailand.

(4) Thailand-Japan Investment Forum and Thailand Landbridge Roadshow The Prime Minister delivered a keynote address at the Thailand-Japan Investment Forum organised by Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) to introduce economic policy of the government and promote investment opportunities in Thailand. The Deputy Prime Minister also made a remarks at the forum. The Prime Minister also delivered opening remarks at the Landbridge Roadshow organised by the Transport Ministry to provide information on this megaproject to the interested and potential Japanese private sector.

(5) Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders Meeting

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs joined Prime Minister and Mr. Kulit Sombatsiri, Advisor to the Prime Minister, in the Asia Zero Community (AZEC) Leaders Meeting. Mr. Kulit, on behalf of the Thai government, delivered remarks to highlight Thailand’s commitment to enhancing cooperation on energy transition to achieve its carbon neutrality goals in 2050. Thailand also encouraged the Japanese private sector to collaborate in developing clean technologies as well as energy transition projects to ensure its energy sector is in line with green growth.

(6) Meeting with the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs accompanied Prime Minister to the meeting with Mr. Saito Ken, the newly appointed METI Minister, and Mr. Ishiguro Norihiko, Chairman of JETRO. The two sides emphasized on trade and investment cooperation, especially in such industries as EV, clean energy, innovation, as well as cooperation on addressing social issues and human resource development.

(7) A Royal Audience with the Emperor and Empress of Japan On 18 December 2023, the Prime Minister and other ASEAN leaders was granted a royal audience with the Emperor, the Empress of Japan, as well as the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess of Japan, at the Tokyo Imperial Palace.

(8) Bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of Lao PDR, Cambodia, Viet Nam, and Indonesia The two sides discussed on cooperation in key areas, such as transport and logistical connectivity projects between Thailand and neighbouring countries, including railways and landroads connecting Thailand with Lao PDR, trade promotion and movements of Thai and Cambodian labourers, tourism cooperation to stimulate the economy, as well as enhanced cooperation with Lao PDR to address transboundary haze. The Thai side also responded to Indonesia’s request to purchase 2 million tons of rice from Thailand in 2023 – 2024.