Feature: ASEAN 50th Anniversary

Aug. 8, 2017, is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Currently the total population of the 10 member nations is 630 million people and their total GDP is US$2.432 trillion. The huge market is expected to be a driver for the world economy.

The ties between Japan and ASEAN, which are geographically close to one another, have been continuing for over 40 years since the start of friendly relations in 1973. Japan and ASEAN have built a relationship of trust. At the end of 2015, the ASEAN Community launched, in a move toward deeper regional ties. The ASEAN Community consists of three pillars: the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).

JICA has been carrying out support to ASEAN that emphasizes connectivity since before the launch of the ASEAN Community so that ASEAN develops as a single region and grows along with Japan. In addition, JICA is engaged in support for the development of high level human resources to bolster the countries and industries of ASEAN, in support to solve urban problems and in support to help create the rules of society to cope with the changing times. JICA is supporting quality growth ^[1] in ASEAN by putting to work the experiences and technologies of Japan.

Corridors, in which roads and bridges connect major ports and cities, make it possible for regions with poor access and inland districts to develop industrially.

Two corridors bear the burden of connecting the land within the ASEAN region: 1. The East-West Economic Corridor, which stretches from Da Nang, Vietnam, to Mawlamyine, Myanmar, and 2. the Southern Economic Corridor, which runs from Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam, through Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, and Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, to Dawei, Myanmar.

JICA provides support for road repairs and improvements to ports and tunnels in various locations. In addition, JICA provided assistance to build two bridges on the Mekong River, invigorating the flow of people and goods.

It has been ten years since the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge opened in December 2006. The bridge, which connects Thailand and Laos, promotes cross-border educational and employment opportunities between the two countries. Daily traffic has increased approximately eightfold between 2009 and 2015, going from 256 vehicles to 1,947.

To cope with rapid urbanization due to development and population growth, many measures are required. These include countermeasures for housing problems, urban transport, water and sewage services, waste processing and pollution. JICA is providing comprehensive support for everything from planning to implementation.

Metro Cebu is the No. 2 urban area in the Philippines. It has abundant tourism resources, including beautiful beaches, and striking population growth. However, the fragile urban base and frequent flood damage are obstructing development. JICA partnered with the city of Yokohama, which has also developed as a harbor city, to provide assistance in creating the urban development vision Mega Cebu Vision 2050 and a roadmap for realizing that vision. This is the first case in which JICA has partnered with a local government on an overall urban plan in a foreign country.

Graphic caption: The Mega Cebu Vision 2050 is made up of the following four strategies: competitiveness, livability, mobility and metropolitan management. JICA and the city of Yokohama are providing support for achieving the Vision, which is being advanced by the 13 cities and towns that make up the Metro Cebu metropolitan area, central government agencies, the private sector and civil society, all working as one.

JICA's assistance efforts are getting great results with regard to developing the high-level human resources needed for further growth in ASEAN. These include next-generation leaders, policy-makers and industrial personnel tasked with technological innovation. This assistance will contribute to stronger friendly ties between Japan and ASEAN.

A new initiative called Innovative Asia gets underway in September 2017. Over the course of five years, 1,000 students will go to Japan to study. These students are engaged in science and technology research at universities in 12 Asian countries, including not only ASEAN, but also India, Sri Lanka and others. After they have completed their studies at Japanese universities, they are expected to contribute to promoting innovation in their fields. The scholarship program aims to enhance the circulation of competent human resources between Japan and Asian countries and to promote friendly relations between Japan and the other countries.

Since 1868 - the start of the Meiji period during which Japan modernized and opened itself to the outside world ? the country has been creating its own legal culture by incorporating customized elements of European and U.S. law. Now JICA is putting that experience to work to build up the nations of Laos and Myanmar.

Note

[1] Quality growth is one of the objectives the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are attempting to achieve. It emphasizes growth that includes three things: 1. "inclusiveness," in which the fruits of growth go to society as a whole and no one is left behind 2. intergenerational "sustainability," which includes consideration for the environment and society and measures to fight climate change, and 3. resilience, or abundant ability to withstand various shocks such as economic crises and natural disasters.