On 23 - 27 February 2026, H.E. Mr. Sarun Charoensuwan, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, led a Thai delegation, comprising representatives from the public sector and 12 Thai companies, to participate in the Silver Economy initiative, organized by the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo.

The delegation received briefings from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on Japan’s demographic trends, policy framework, and aged care system. The delegation also received a briefing from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) on business opportunities, highlighting the role of private sector participation and the use of innovation as key drivers in developing solutions for aged care.

The Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs presided over the opening of the Thailand - Japan business matching session on 24 February 2026, with 19 Japanese companies in participation. Afterwards, H.E. Mr. Witchu Vejjajiva, Ambassador of Thailand to Japan, hosted a business networking reception for Thai and Japanese entrepreneurs. The delegation also paid study visits to the Future Care Lab in Japan operated by Sompo Care, which serves as an innovation testbed for aged care technologies and startups; nursing homes and day-care centres run by Tsukui Corporation and Benesse Style Care; and Sakai Medical, a leading manufacturer of assisted bathing equipment. The delegation also attended Care Show Japan 2026 to explore emerging innovations and engage with leading Japanese companies.

The Silver Economy initiative represents an example of the Ministry’s economic diplomacy, which seeks to strengthen capacities and expand business opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs through learning from Japan’s best practices and pursuing partnerships with leading Japanese companies in the aged care sector.