Jakarta, 30 October 2025: The ERIA School of Government, in collaboration with the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Asia-Pacific Research Center (APRC), successfully held the Second ERIA–APRC Research Exchange and Innovation Workshop on Biomanufacturing at the ERIA office in Jakarta.

Building on the success of the inaugural workshop in Tokyo last year, which highlighted leading biomanufacturing technologies in Japan and ASEAN, this year’s edition focused on seaweed and palm oil – two themes identified during last year’s discussions. Through this workshop, leading researchers from ASEAN and Japan shared their latest findings and strengthened regional co-operation in science and technology.

In his opening remarks, Professor Nobuhiro Aizawa, Dean and Managing Director of the ERIA School of Government, expressed his gratitude to both organisations. Prof. Aizawa noted that previous discussions had identified seaweed and palm oil as key shared interests between ASEAN and Japan. He emphasised this workshop’s goal of bridging science, government, and industry to ensure research delivers real social and economic impact.

Mr Shinichi Kuroki, Deputy Director-General of the APRC, also delivered opening remarks, highlighting that 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN–Japan friendship and co-operation. This milestone was celebrated through the launch of the Japan–ASEAN Science, Technology, and Innovation Collaboration Project (NEXUS) by JST. He added that the workshop sought to enhance research capacity and generate new insights through academic exchange.

The workshop featured sessions on the strategic biomanufacturing fields of palm oil and seaweed. Participants explored seaweed’s potential in the blue economies of ASEAN (including Indonesia and Malaysia) and Japan, particularly in producing high-value functional products. Current challenges were also identified, such as seaweed quality degradation due to global warming.

The palm oil session examined the utilisation of palm residues for fuel, anti-corrosion solutions, and fibre applications. An innovation session further highlighted breakthroughs in related areas, including microalgae, food printing, and intellectual property. Participants actively exchanged insights on emerging opportunities, challenges, and societal impacts, laying the groundwork for broader cross-sectoral collaboration between ASEAN and Japan.

The workshop also served as a foundation for the Inaugural ERIA Collaborative Partnership Forum on Biomanufacturing, set to take place the next day with support from APRC. The forum aims to connect researchers with industry partners and policymakers to explore pathways for scaling up academic breakthroughs in biomanufacturing.

Through these initiatives, ERIA and APRC reaffirm their commitment to advancing international research collaboration and fostering innovation in biotechnology, bioenergy, and sustainability. This partnership highlights ASEAN and Japan’s shared vision for a sustainable and prosperous future driven by science and technology.