Japan Promotes Growth Strategy To Strengthen Future Economy

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 (Bernama) -- The government of Japan is currently promoting its Growth Strategy with the aim of building Japan’s future and achieving a strong economy.

Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, Daisuke Nihei, said the strategy, which identifies 17 strategic fields, actively promotes public-private collaboration to enable rapid and effective investment. 

“The presence of startups embarking on new value creation here today is closely aligned with Japan’s Growth Strategy. In particular, the challenges addressed by the startups including artificial intelligence (AI), satellite, data utilisation, new materials development, smart cities and digital transformation in construction are directly linked to these strategic fields,” he said in his opening remarks at the Japan-ASEAN Fast Track Pitch event on Thursday.

The initiative, launched in 2023 to mark the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN friendship and cooperation, aims to foster open innovation and co-creation through collaboration between Japanese and ASEAN enterprises.

“Startups are positioned as a driving force to promote private investment,” said Nihei.

He emphasised that the ASEAN-Japan Co-creation Fast Track Initiative, that was launched by the Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan External Trade Organisation  (JETRO), along with government agencies of ASEAN, has promoted open innovation and co-creation for enterprises including startups.

“I am proud that this year marks the third edition of this initiative, which has led to many meaningful collaborations and innovative achievements,” he said. 

-- BERNAMA