Jakarta, 8 July 2022: It is with the greatest shock and most profound sorrow that I, and all of us at ERIA, have learned of the passing of the Japanese former Prime Minister, Mr Shinzo Abe on the afternoon of 8th July 2022.

The attack this morning was despicable, and we are appalled by the loss of life of a noble statesman who has been a strong supporter of ERIA since the very beginning.

At the Second East Asia Summit held on 15 January 2007 in Cebu, Philippines, Mr Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, formally proposed establishing ERIA in front of numerous East Asia Summit Leaders. ERIA is here today due to his outstanding leadership and unwavering support.

On this sad occasion, to those closest to him, to the people of Japan, we grieve with you. We will keep his spirit and legacy alive through our work here at ERIA.

Hidetoshi Nishimura

President of the Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia