IBC Japan Roadshow Builds Momentum for ASEAN-Japan Cooperation on Energy Security and Human Talent Development

The Indonesian Business Council (IBC) conducted a Japan Roadshow from 10 to 12 June 2026, led by Chair of the Board of Trustees IBC Arsjad Rasjid, together with member representatives. The roadshow brought together key government, business, and policy stakeholders in Tokyo to strengthen ASEAN-Japan cooperation on energy security, economic resilience, and human talent development.

On 11 June, the IBC delegation paid a courtesy visit to former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Saito Ken, Koichi Hagiuda, and members of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Parliamentary League. The meeting discussed the implementation of ASEAN Leaders’ commitments, Japan’s proposal to further strengthen the AZEC framework, and the POWERR Asia initiative. A key outcome was IBC’s plan to collaborate with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) to establish a business-led platform supporting the development of a regional fuel stockpiling mechanism.

The delegation also met with the Chairman and leadership of Keizai Doyukai to advance cooperation under the AJ-NEXT framework. Building on IBC’s previous engagement with Keizai Doyukai, the discussion focused on human talent circulation as a new area of strategic cooperation between Indonesia and Japan. IBC proposed a study on Japan’s future talent needs, while Keizai Doyukai emphasized the importance of reintegrating returning Indonesian workers into Indonesia’s industrial development. Both sides agreed to explore a joint study and a tripartite meeting with the Japan External Trade Organization and/or the Institute of Developing Economies-JETRO.

As part of the roadshow, IBC also participated in the Nikkei Forum Future of Asia 2026 on the panel “Energy Conundrum: How Can Asia Keep Its Growth Engine Running?” The discussion highlighted the need for Asia to balance energy security, decarbonization, and economic competitiveness amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.

The roadshow concluded with the IBC Lunch Dialogue, co-hosted with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Tokyo, titled “Indonesia and Japan: Co-Creating Economic Resilience in Time of Global Crisis.” The dialogue brought together Indonesian and Japanese stakeholders from government, think tanks, financial institutions, and business communities to exchange views on deepening cooperation.

Throughout the roadshow, IBC reaffirmed its commitment to building trust-based and deliverable-driven partnerships with Japan. For IBC, stronger ASEAN-Japan cooperation requires practical implementation, close public-private collaboration, and concrete initiatives that support long-term regional resilience and shared economic growth.