Tokyo, 16 April 2019: The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) hosted a meeting between the heads and the Parliamentary Leagues for both organisations on 16 April 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.

ERIA’s President Prof Hidetoshi Nishimura provided a brief overview of ERIA’s recent collaboration with OECD, which was the revised ASEAN SME Policy Index 2018. In addition, he requested further support from several Japanese ministries, namely the Cabinet Office; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Ministry of the Environment; Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare; and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The support of the ministries is important for the continuity of research studies for ASEAN in various fields such as trade, infrastructure, population ageing, digital economy, energy, and environmental issues. Prof Nishimura provided examples of ERIA’s research projects conducted in cooperation with the government of several countries, namely the ASEAN@50 Project in 2017 with the Philippines, 2045 Project in 2018 to commemorate the 60^th anniversary of Japan-Indonesia diplomatic relations, and ASEAN Vision 2040 this year with Thailand.

Mr Angel Gurria, the Secretary-General of OECD, expressed his appreciation for the continuous support from Japanese Parliamentarians lead by H.E. Mr Toshihiro Nikai, the Secretary-General of Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) and the Chairman of both Parliamentary Leagues for ERIA and OECD. He also mentioned that ERIA and OECD would continue the programmes regarding good regulatory practice (GRP), sustainable infrastructure, and regional programmes.

Mr Kenji Yamada, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs; Mr Yoshihiro Seki, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry; and Mr Tsukasa Akimoto, State Minister of the Environment, delivered their remarks on behalf of the ministries. They stated the ministries’ appreciation for ERIA and OECD’s contributions in the various fields and they pledged the ministries’ support for further collaboration and for the development of the world economy in the future.

In his closing remarks, H.E. Mr Toshihiro Nikai said that not only the LDP, but the Japanese Government also has to support ERIA and OECD in recognition of Prof Nishimura and Mr Gurria’s past achievements.

Member of the Participating Executives

• Mr Toshihiro Nikai, Chairman of Parliamentary Leagues for ERIA/OECD, Secretary General, Liberal Democratic Party Member of the House of Representatives
• Mr Yasuhisa Shiozaki, Deputy Chairman of Parliamentary League for ERIA
• Mr Motoo Hayashi, Vice Chairman of Parliamentary League for ERIA and Vice Secretary General of Parliamentary League for OECD
• Mr Naokazu Takemoto, Vice Secretary General of Parliamentary League for OECD
• Mr Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi, Vice Chairman of Parliamentary League for ERIA
• Mr Teru Fukui, Deputy Secretary General of Parliamentary League for ERIA
• Mr Masaaki Taniai, Vice Secretary General of Parliamentary League for ERIA
• Mr Yosuke Tsuruho, Secretary of Parliamentary League for ERIA and Vice Secretary General of Parliamentary League for OECD
• Mr Tadahiko Ito, Vice Secretary of Parliamentary League for ERIA and Secretary of Parliamentary League for OECD
• Mr Hirofumi Kado, Vice Secretary of Parliamentary League for OECD
• Mr Hitoshi Kikawada, Member of Parliamentary League for OECD
• Mr Takeo Kawamura, Member of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
• Mr Kenji Yamada, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Mr Yoshihiro Seki, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
• Mr Tsukasa Akimoto, State Minister of the Environment