Viewpoint: H.E. Ambassador Chiba Akira, Ambassador of Mission of Japan to ASEAN

29 December 2020 -

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.