Japan advances ASEAN AI co-creation for MSME growth

The Government of Japan hosted a virtual ASEAN Summit Focus Session on October 6 to advance the ASEAN–Japan Co-Creation Initiative for AI, highlighting closer regional cooperation in using artificial intelligence (AI) to drive innovation and growth among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

The session, held as part of the ASEAN AI Summit on AI-Powered MSMEs Growth program, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and private-sector stakeholders from Japan and ASEAN.

Representing the Philippines was Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Leandro Angelo Y. Aguirre. Also participating were Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN YONETANI Koji, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Deputy Director-General HANADA Takahiro, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) Deputy Director-General SASAKI Akihiko, and Minister for Economic Affairs YOKOTA Naobumi.

The Focus Session presented Japan’s policy approaches and key initiatives aimed at supporting the digital transformation and AI adoption of MSMEs across ASEAN.

Japanese AI companies Spectee, Inc., MATSUO Institute, Inc., and Preferred Networks, Inc. also shared their technologies and perspectives on how Japanese businesses can collaborate with ASEAN member states under the ASEAN–Japan Co-Creation Initiative for AI.

Their presentations highlighted practical applications of AI that can support innovation, improve business competitiveness, and open new opportunities for sustainable economic growth.

The session underscored the importance of closer public-private collaboration in accelerating AI adoption across ASEAN, while strengthening Japan’s role as a partner in developing an inclusive and trusted regional AI ecosystem.

In his closing remarks, Minister Yokota reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to working with ASEAN stakeholders toward the development of a “safe, secure, and trustworthy AI” ecosystem.

“As a ‘trusted partner’ to all of you—the key public and private sector players in the ASEAN region—we look forward to working closely together to further accelerate our efforts in co-creating a ‘safe, secure, and trustworthy AI’ ecosystem,” Yokota said.