The delegates of Japan's House of Representatives Budget Committee, led by H.E. Mr. Toshihiro Nikai, the former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, visited ERIA on 24 July 2014 and were warmly welcomed by the entire ERIA staff.

H.E. Mr. Nikai had the vision to propose the establishment of ERIA in 2007 and has remained a strong supporter of ERIA as the Chairman of the Parliamentary League for ERIA. The delegation included H.E. Mr. Y asuhisa Shiozaki and H.E. Mr. Motoo Hayashi, members of Japan's House of Representatives. H.E. Mr. Aiboshi, Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, Prof. Nishimura, ERIA Executive Director, briefed the delegation on recent achievements of ERIA, especially the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and ERIA on 5 May 2014 and the statement of the 8 th East Asia Summit (EAS) where the leaders called on ERIA to continue its extensive research activities to promote economic integration in ASEAN and East Asia.

Each of the ERIA economists also explained the major research projects that he/she is doing and is in charge of. An exchange of views between the delegates and economists then followed, with the visiting delegation recognizing and expressing their appreciation of the importance of the ongoing research projects and the key role of ERIA in supporting economic integration in ASEAN and East Asia. H.E. Mr. Nikai concluded by reaffirming the delegation's continued support to ERIA.