ERIA Symposium on "The Economic Integration of East Asia and Japan's Growth" was held on June 23, 2013 at United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan.

The Symposium was supported by The Sankei Shimbun, Japan Association of Travel Agents, All Nippon Travel Agents Association, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan and cooperated by Asia Leaders Association. Around 250 participants from the Diet, government, industrial world, academia, and private sectors were there.

Movements that concern with the regional economic integration has made progress, such as the start of the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) negotiations this year. Even stronger ties between Japan, ASEAN, and East Asia are being required in order to link the vitality of the regions to Japan's growth. With this background, the Symposium was held.

The objectives of the Symposium is to share the summary of results of the ERIA Executive Mission led by H.E. Mr. Toshihiro Nikai, the Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, formed by Diet Members, Local Assemblies, and others from the economic community, held from April 26 to May 6, 2013 to visit Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Thailand, and China and to discuss how the economic integration of East Asia should proceed from various viewpoints and how to link this to Japan's growth by utilizing ERIA.

The Symposium was opened by H.E. Mr Nikai and Mr. Hiroshi Okuda, Governing Board Member of ERIA (Governor of Japan Bank for International Cooperation). H.E. Mr. Nikai said that "ERIA has now been recognized as the best and most respected "research institute in ASEAN," ranking 28th from 6,603 entities of its kind from around the world. That is a very impressive achievement that ERIA has climbed through the rank only in five years of existence to the top 30".

H.E. Mr. Haji Mahamud bin Haji Ahmad, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Japan and H.E. Ms. Akira Matsu, Vice Chairman of Parliamentary League for ERIA (Member of House of Counselors) made guest speeches.There were video messages from H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan and H.E. Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. Prime Minister Abe and Minister Motegi praised ERIA for its achievements and contributions to ASEAN Community building efforts and expressed their expectations and further supports to ERIA.

Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Former Secretary-General of ASEAN made a keynote lecture on "Development of ASEAN and the Future Integration of East Asia", mentioning about the importance of RCEP and said that economic integration in East Asia would be new engine of growth for entire global community.

After that, the panel discussion was conducted moderated by Mr. Daisuke Hiratsuka, Executive Vice President, Institute of Developing Economies Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO). Presenters and participants discussed how to strengthen supply chain in East Asia, how Japan should grow in East Asia, and what roles to expect ERIA. Other speakers also emphasized the importance of ERIA "to chart the course of future integration in the Asia Pacific Region".

Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA made concluding remarks. He mentioned about the potential of future growth of ASEAN and East Asia and saying that "ERIA would accelerate its efforts for ASEAN Community building by 2015 and beyond in response to expectations and advises that we received from all the participants today".