Anticipating ASEAN’s economic integration 34th Kankeiren ASEAN Management Seminar(October 25 to 29, 2013)

Holding lectures by specialists, company visits and a roundtable

The 34th Kankeiren ASEAN Management Seminar was held last year for five days from October 25 (Mon.) to 29 (Fri.) Eighteen executives of companies and organizations from a total of 11 countries, including nine of the ASEAN countries (excluding Brunei), India and Mongolia, participated in this seminar.

The subject of how Japanese companies will respond to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) that begins from 2015 was introduced through lectures by specialists and visits to companies. The participants examined the ways for corporate management and the role of managers to enhance competitive power by restructuring management strategies from a global perspective, such as enhancing global competitiveness through improved technological power and productivity, building partnerships that go beyond national borders, etc. The participants also exchanged opinions on how future approaches should take shape.

Seminar participants visit Daiwa Co., a manufacturer of door handles, corner frames, etc., in Yao City. Company President explained how his company is currently planning to venture into the glass door market in the ASEAN region.

Now let’s hear comments from Mr. Odano, who served as program coordinator for the seminar, and from seminar participants.

A word from the program coordinator Mr. Sumimaru Odano Professor in the Economics Department, Shiga University

The seminar, held for participants from 11 countries, concluded after leaving behind many fruitful results for this year. I was left with an impression of the participants, who possessed a solid business outlook, as they tried to absorb every bit of their experience in Japan and their current activities.

As ASEAN’s economic integration looms, a feature of this year’s program was its concentration of numerous discussions and questions on economic development within the economic zone and trends for Japanese investment. When envisioning an economic belt that ties together Japan, ASEAN and India, I believe the participants shared a view for the expectation of possibilities that will be brought by a deepening of synergetic relationships. In line with the corporate activities in the developing in countries that are positioned at the center of this belt, I learned that the participants have expectations — to a degree greater than I had imagined – toward having links with Japan. Especially with regard to the overseas expansion of Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises, I received the passionate message time and time again that ASEAN would actively become the recipient of this expansion. I believe this is connected with the idea that creating stronger supply chains will become a possibility through specialization within the zone. In this seminar, one felt as if the view cast by ASEAN, India and Mongolia toward Japan is spurring an even more positive relationship than before.

Voices of Participants

Cambodia H/R and Compliance Manager Maurea Garments Corp. Mr. Sok Outdam, Edison

Japan is a country I have been drawn to since a small child. I am extremely grateful for having been able to participate in this seminar in Japan. I was able to learn many things such as lifestyles and the attitudes Japanese people have toward work, not to mention the management style of Japanese corporations.
We were warmly received at all the companies. Everyone was friendly and shared with us their knowledge and information to the fullest extent possible. I was particularly impressed by having made friendly contacts with all the company people I encountered, be they company heads or employees. After returning home, I promptly shared the things I learned at the seminar and about Japanese culture with other executives. I also want to convey these things to the other employees of our company as well. I want to give my true thanks for being able to participate in the seminar.

President Director of PT. Dela Cemara Indah ,Indonesia Ms. Regina Djauhari

This was an extremely beneficial seminar. I was able to make contact with Japanese people though the company visits and discussions, and I am grateful that they kindly shared a lot of information with me. How about in the future that Japanese people also take part in the seminars as participants? Perhaps that could deepen mutual appreciation and build better ties. The “onsen” hot-spring experience at Arima was helpful as a way of introducing Japanese culture. Everyone was able to open their hearts to each other.