The ASEAN magazine interviews H.E. Ambassador Chiba Akira on Special Edition issue covering on the most pressing and important subject of healthcare systems. Ambassador Chiba begins by congratulating the ASEAN Secretariat upon the launching of The ASEAN magazine and shares Japan’s health system in managing COVID-19 Pandemic. Japan adopted two methods called “retrospective tracing” and the avoidance of “Three Cs” which stands for closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings.

The discussion continues on Government of Japan’s contribution to ASEAN in managing the pandemic. Japan has been a staunch supporter of ASEAN’s initiative to establish the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED). A Feasibility Study was carried out in June 2020, followed by the inauguration event held at the 23^rd  ASEAN-Japan Summit in November 2020. Ambassador Chiba express appreciation for ASEAN’s positive acceptance and our respect for the efforts made by all relevant parties in ASEAN Member States. The Centre will be responsible for the dissemination and analyses of infectious disease-related data, human resources development, as well as research and development programmes.

The Ambassador then explains that Japan has contributed approximately 50 million US dollars to the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), which has become a major tool through which we support ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific for the establishment of ACPHEED. Based upon the results of the Feasibility Study, Japan will support the construction of the Centre, the maintenance of relevant goods and equipment, as well as human resources development, including experts at the Centre. Japan will continue to provide maximum knowledge and expertise, as well as to provide continuous and full support to ACPHEED.

Article is available for download on The ASEAN Magazine – Special Edition, November-December 2020, page 16-17.

On 12 November 2020, the ASEAN Leaders during the 37^th Summit under the Chairmanship of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam announced the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED). ACPHEED will serve as a centre of excellence and regional hub to strengthen ASEAN’s regional capabilities to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies and emerging diseases.

The proposal to establish the ACPHEED resulted from the Feasibility Study on the Establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases that was supported by the Government of Japan through Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). Further support from the Government of Japan amounting to 50 million US dollars will be committed to the operationalization of ACPHEED in 2021 once a host country among the ASEAN Member States is chosen. The establishment of the ACPHEED and relevant recommendations have been reported to the ASEAN Leaders as well as Japan’s Leader around the time of the 37^th ASEAN Summit and its Related Meetings on 11-15 November 2020

Article is available for download on The ASEAN Magazine – Special Edition, November-December 2020, page 14-15.

ASEAN is the third largest economy in Asia and the fifth largest in the world, boasting a combined GDP of 3 trillion US dollars. Impressive as these numbers sound, the public may not be aware of or fully understand the tireless work that ASEAN does to address challenges and capture opportunities to turn the region into the economically dynamic and vibrant force that it is today. The peace and stability that the region is experiencing as a result of countries’ concerted efforts is also likely underappreciated by the public.

The 2018 ASEAN Awareness Poll, commissioned by the ASEAN Secretariat and supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), reveals stark realities. While the overall public awareness of ASEAN is high at 96 per cent, fewer than one-third of respondents have extensive knowledge and understanding of ASEAN. Moreover, only half of the respondents perceive ASEAN to be communicating effectively, while a majority of businesses and civil society organisations found ASEAN lacking in terms of meeting their information needs.

Effective branding of an organisation requires creating compelling narratives that resonate with and engage people. It requires more than just content development and dissemination, but most importantly, how such content is pitched and amplified through its engagements with the people. Cognisant of the importance of effective communications and storytelling, the ASEAN information sector has put in place the ASEAN Communication Masterplan II 2018-2025 which governs how ASEAN engages, informs, and interacts with its citizens.

Article is available for download on The ASEAN Magazine – Special Edition, November-December 2020, page 73-74.

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism held the “2nd Japan-ASEAN Smart Cities Network High-Level Meeting” on December 16 to promote cooperation with the ASEAN Smart City Network (ASCN). The meeting was held in collaboration with the ministries. At the meeting, Japan’s smart city initiatives and support measures for smart cities in collaboration with each ministry were introduced. Japan-ASEAN will continue to aim for the realization of ASEAN smart cities.

The Promotion of the Cooperation between ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) and Japan by the 2nd High-Level Meeting in Japan is supported by the Government of Japan through Japan ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

The 2^nd day of the 4^th (Closing) Regional Workshop of the ASEAN SDGs Frontrunner Cities Programme was participated by over 70 participants from national and city level in ASEAN countries. During the event had a great honour to welcome H.E. Kondo Tomohiro, Vice Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Ministry of the Environment of Japan and H.E. Ambassador Chiba Akira, Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN to give the programme completion congratulatory remarks. The event provided virtual visit experience to 10 ASEAN cities and thanked all stakeholders for support throughout the implementation.

The ASEAN SDGs Frontrunner Cities Programme – Upgrading the ASEAN ESC Model Cities Programme is supported by the Government of Japan through Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).