First ASEAN-G7 Next Leaders Forum Convenes in Tokyo
The Ministry of Justice of Japan, in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat and the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation organised the First ASEAN-G7 Next Leaders Forum (1st NLF) held on 26 June–2 July 2024 in Tokyo, Japan.
The 1st NLF is an initiative proposed by the Ministry of Justice of Japan at the ASEAN-G7 Justice Ministers’ Interface (Interface) during their first-ever engagement held on 7 July 2023 in Tokyo. The Interface was an effort to provide an avenue for both ASEAN and G7 law and justice sector to discuss common areas of cooperation in the areas of law and justice.
At the said Interface, ASEAN and G7 Justice Ministers/Attorneys-General expressed their willingness to continue their engagement with each other and welcomed the establishment of the Next Leaders Forum under Japan’s initiative, with the aim to bring together young government officials from Justice Ministries and relevant government institutions from both ASEAN and G7 to exchange knowledge and build long-lasting partnership and cooperation.
The NLF will also serve as a platform to develop mutual understanding and respect with a view to contribute to the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific’s (AOIP) principles of centrality and mutual trust through furthering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 16, through promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Koizumi Ryuji, Minister of Justice of Japan, in his opening remarks highlighted the importance of the rule of law in the international community and the establishment of the 1st NLF will serve as a platform for the young leaders of ASEAN and G7 in the field of law and justice to interact with one another.
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, Nararya Soeprapto, echoed the message of Minister Koizumi and expressed the importance of the NLF to underscore the commitment of ASEAN and G7 to facilitate exchange of knowledge, sharing experiences, and best practices among the agencies of the participating countries.
The 1st NLF was attended by 55 participants representing ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste, the ASEAN Secretariat, and G7 Members. The participants engaged in discussions and shared various experiences on issues pertaining to law and justice that is of common interest of ASEAN and G7. These discussions encompassed challenges faced and efforts made by ASEAN and G7 Ministries/Agencies to integrate gender perspectives into the development of human resources in the field of law and justice.
The participants also attended lectures delivered by Mayor of Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, Takashima Ryosuke, Assistant Chief State Counsel, Department of Justice of the Republic of the Philippines, Mildred Bernadette B. Alvor, and President of the National Personnel Authority of Japan, Kawamoto Yuko, which provided substantial insights on leadership skills and diversity management from their respective agencies to the participants.
In addition to lectures and discussions, participants also visited multiple Japanese Government institutions such as the Medical Correction Center in East Japan, Tokyo-Nishi Juvenile Support Center, the Supreme Court of Japan, the National Diet of Japan (the Japanese parliament), and the Offenders Rehabilitation Facilities to gain deeper and first-hand understanding of the Japanese legal systems through these facilities.
As an outcome of the 1st NLF, the participants gained understanding on each other’s role and functions in their respective Ministries/Agencies, their difference of legal systems, challenges that each Ministries/Agencies faced and the efforts that have been undertaken to overcome such challenges.
Despite having different legal systems, participants recognised similarities in the challenges they faced. Through the discussions, they acknowledged the importance of digitalisation of documents, the utilisation of Artificial Intelligence to enhance work performance, as well as the need to have a continuous effort from Ministries/Agencies to improve work environment.
The 1st ASEAN-G7 Next Leaders Forum is supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).
