NEAT and EAF

The East Asia Forum (EAF)

The East Asia Forum (EAF) is an international organization established following a proposal in the reports of the "East Asia Vision Group" (EAVG) and the "East Asia Study Group" (EASG) which were established at the request of the ASEAN+3 Summit. The Korean government took the initiative in establishing the EAF and held the 1st East Asia Forum on December 14-16, 2003 in Seoul, Korea. While the Network of East Asian Think-tanks (NEAT) aims to promote the networking of think-tanks and act as a source of research information among ASEAN+3 countries in order to assist building an "East Asian Community", EAF assembles business, academia and government representatives at the Track 1.5 (semi-governmental) level from ASEAN+3 countries and provides a knowledge base for regional integration in East Asia.



The 20th East Asia Forum in Nha Trang, Viet Nam (December 19-20, 2022)

The 20th East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on December 19-20, 2022 in Nha Trang, Viet Nam, which was attended by participants from ASEAN+3 countries. Among them, there were 5 participants from Japan: Kiya Masahiko, Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, MIURA Hideyuki, Assistant Professor at Kyorin University, SHIKATA Tatsuo, GM of Chemical Div. Singapore Office, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., KIKUCHI Yona, Director and Senior Research Fellow, JFIR and other. The 20th EAF was held with discussions taking place in four sessions: "“The Past 25 Years of ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation for Peace, Security and Prosperity in East Asia," "Building Regional and National Health Capacities for Better Resilience to Future Public Health Emergencies in East Asia," "Strengthening Economic and Financial Cooperation for Sustained Recovery and Growth in East Asia," and "The Next 25 Years of ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation toward Inclusive, Equitable and Sustainable Development in East Asia."



The 19th East Asia Forum in Korea, Online (December 7, 2021)

The 19th East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on December 7, 2021 in Korea (Online), which was attended by participants from ASEAN+3 countries. The 19th EAF was held with discussions taking place in three sessions: " Future of Health Security Cooperation in East Asia after COVID-19," " Paradigm Shift in the Post-Pandemic Era – Accelerating the Inclusive Digital Transformation," and " Paradigm Shift in the Post-Pandemic Era – Climate Change Response and Green Growth."



The 18th East Asia Forum in Vietnam, Online (December 10, 2020)

The 18th East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on December 10, 2020 in Vietnam (Online), which was attended by participants from ASEAN+3 countries. The 18th EAF was held under the overall theme of " Strengthening the ASEAN Plus Three cooperation for economic and financial resilience in the face of emerging challenges," with discussions taking place in two sessions: " Strengthening regional capacities in response to external economic and financial shocks, including macro-economic surveillance and early warning capabilitie," and "Restoring the momentum for regional economic integration and sustainable growth in East Asia."



The 17th East Asia Forum in ODAWARA, Japan (July 10 - 12, 2019)

The 17th East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on July 10- 12, 2019 in ODAWARA, Japan, which was attended by participants from ASEAN+3 countries. The 17th EAF was held under the overall theme of "Bolstering Free and Open Economy in East Asia," with discussions taking place in three sessions: "Sustainable Development in East Asia and Dialogue Partners’ Engagement," "Improvement of Trade Environments including the RCEP," and "Towards the Society 5.0 driven by the Industry 4.0."



The 16th East Asia Forum in Luang Prabang, Laos (August 29 - 30, 2018)

The 16th East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on August 29- 30, 2018 in Luang Prabang, Laos, which was attended by 66 participants in total from ASEAN+3 countries, including H.E. Bouathong Phengsavanh, Deputy Secretary of Party Committee, of Luang Prabang Province. Among them, there were 5 participants from Japan: ITO Go, Director and Director of Research. JFIR, YAMAMOTO Daisuke, Deputy Director General Senior Economist, Sojitz Research Institute, Ltd, and others.



The 15th East Asia Forum in , Changsha, China (June 29-July 1, 2017)

The 15th East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on June 29 - July 1, 2017 in Changsha, China, which was attended by 56 participants in total from ASEAN+3 countries, including Prof. Du Jiahao, the Hunan Provincial Leader. Among them, there were 5 participants from Japan: HAYASHI Hidekazu, Council, Embassy of Japan in China, ISHIGAKI Yasuji, Trustee/President The Japan Forum on International Relations / The Council on East Asian Community, and others.



The 14th East Asia Forum in Siem Reap, Cambodia (June 9-10, 2016)

The 14th East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on June 9-10, 2016 in Siem Reap, Cambodia , which was attended by 77 participants in total from ASEAN+3 countries, including H.E. KAO Kim Hourn, Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister The Cabinet of Prime Minister Office. Among them, there were 5 participants from Japan: OSUGA Takeshi, Deputy Director General, Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, ISHIGAKI Yasuji, Trustee/President The Japan Forum on International Relations / The Council on East Asian Community, Daisuke SHINTANI, Senior Economist Mitsui Global Strategic Studies Institute and others.



The 13th East Asia Forum in Jeju, Korea (May 20-21, 2015)

The 13th East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on May 20-21, 2015 in Jeju, Korea, which was attended by 59 participants in total from ASEAN+3 countries, including H. E. H.E. Kim Hong-kyun, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of Korea. Among them, there were 5 participants from Japan: Amb.Koichi Aiboshi, Ambassador of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mission of Japan to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Mr. Yoichi Yamano, General Manager, Strategy Support Division, Corporate Sales and Marketing Group, Hitachi, Ltd, Dr. SAITO Naoki, Professor, Yamanashi Prefectural University and Mr. Kikuchi Yona, Senior Research Fellow, JFIR.



The 12th East Asia Forum in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei (November 25-27, 2014)

The 12th East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on November 25-27, 2014 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, which was attended by 54 participants in total from ASEAN+3 countries, including H. E. Yang Berhormat Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II of Brunei. Among them, there were 5 participants from Japan: Amb.Koichi Aiboshi, Ambassador of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mission of Japan to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Amb.Ishigaki Yasuji, Councilor, The Japan Forum on International Relation (JFIR), Mr.Yamamoto Daisuke, Senior Economist and Executive Vice President, Sojitz Research Institute, LTD, Mr.Inoue Hirokatsu, Official, Minstry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Kikuchi Yona, Senior Research Fellow, JFIR.



The 11th East Asia Forum in Kyoto, Japan (August 20-22, 2013)

The 11th East Asian Forum (EAF) was held from August 20-22, 2013 in Kyoto. The Forum began with the welcome reception hosted by Mr. SUZUKI Shunichi, Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on August 20. On August 21, Amb. HIRABAYASHI Hiroshi, President of CEAC, made the opening remarks, which were followed by statements from Mr. SUZUKI Shunichi, Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Khin Maung Tin, Myanmar Ambassador to Japan and Mr. Taeyul CHO, Second Vice Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. There were three Sessions, one in the morning followed by other in the afternoon, respectively under the topic of "Cooperation for Tourism Resources," "Promotion for Intra-regional Tourism" and "New Tourism and Facilitation for Tourism." Active discussions took place among the participants at each Session. The Forum ended with the closing remarks by Mr. YAMAMOTO Yasushi, Director of Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.



The 10th East Asia Forum in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar (August 15-17, 2012)

The 10th East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on August 15-17, 2012 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, which was attended by 94 participants in total from ASEAN+3 countries, including H.E. U Wunna Maung Lwin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Among them, there were 5 participants from Japan: Mr. SHIMMI Jun, Deputy Director-General of Asian Oceanian Affairs Bureau of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. ISHIGAKI Yasuji, Vice President of CEAC and Councilor of JFIR, Mr. SHINOZAKI Tomohiko, Corporate Officer and Managing Director of SANKYU SOUTHEAST ASIA HOKDINGS PTEL. LTD., Mr. SASATANI Yoshifumi, Deputy Director of Regional Policy Division of Asian Oceanian Affairs Bureau of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. KIKUCHI Yona, Acting Executive Secretary of CEAC and Senior Research Fellow of JFIR.



The 9th East Asia Forum in Chengdu, China (September 15-17, 2011)

The 9th East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on September 15-17, 2011 in Chengdu, China, which was attended by 73 participants in total from ASEAN+3 countries, including Mr. LIU Zhenmin, Assistant Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Among them, there were 5 participants from Japan: Mr. ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Deputy Director-General of Asian Oceanian Affairs Bureau of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. HIRABAYASHI Hiroshi, Executive Vice President of CEAC and Vice President of JFIR, Mr. TADA Yukio, President and CEO of Sojitz Research Institute, Mr. SASATANI Yoshifumi, Deputy Director of Regional Policy Division of Asian Oceanian Affairs Bureau of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. KIKUCHI Yona, Acting Executive Secretary of CEAC and Research Fellow of JFIR. ...more



The 8th East Asia Forum in Da Lat, Viet Nam (August 25-27, 2010)

The 8th East Asian Forum (EAF) was held on August 25-27, 2010 in Da Lat, Viet Nam, which was attended by 56 participants in total from ASEAN+3 countries, including H.E. Madam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Viet Nam. Among them, there were 4 participants from Japan, including Mr. YAMADA Takio, Ambassador for ASEAN of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Prof. HIRABAYASHI Hiroshi, Vice President of the Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR), Mr. TAKAHATA Akio, Deputy Chief Editorial Writer, The Sankei Shimbun, Mr. YANO Takuya, Senior Research Fellow of JFIR.



The 7th East Asia Forum in Seoul, Korea (September 1-2, 2009)

The 7th East Asian Forum (EAF) was held on September 1-2, 2009 in Seoul, Korea, which was attended by 65 participants in total from ASEAN+3 countries, including Mr. Jong-rak Kwon, Vice Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Korea and Mr. Sayakane Sisouvong, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Secretariat. Among them, there were 7 participants from Japan, including Mr. KATORI Yoshinori, Ambassador for ASEAN of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Prof. ITO Kenichi, President and CEO of the Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR), Prof. KAWAI Masahiro, Dean of Asian Development Bank Institute. Prof. HIRONO Ryokichi, Professor Emeritus of Seikei University, Prof. SHINDO Eiichi, Professor Emeritus of University of Tsukuba, Mr. YANO Takuya, Senior Research Fellow of JFIR. ...more



The 6th East Asia Forum in Luang Prabang, Laos (October 15-16, 2008)

The 6th East Asian Forum (EAF) was held on October 15- 16, 2008 in Luang Prabang, Laos. In total 67 participants joined the Forum from ASEAN+3 countries, including H.E. Mr. Soulivong Dalavong, Minister of Planning and Investment of Lao PDR and Dr. SOEUNG Rathchavy, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN. Among them, there were 5 participants from Japan, including Mr. KOHNO Masaharu, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Professor SHINDO Eiichi, Professor Emeritus of University of Tsukuba and Vice President of the Council on East Asian Community (CEAC), Mr. MURAKAMI Masayasu, Executive Director of Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR) and Executive Vice President of CEAC. ...more



The 5th East Asia Forum in Tokyo, Japan (October 31-November 1, 2007)

The 5th East Asian Forum (EAF) was held from October 31 to November 1, 2007 in Tokyo. The Forum began with the welcome dinner hosted by Mr. KIMURA Hitoshi, Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on October 31st. On November 1, Mr. UNO Osamu, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, made the opening remarks, which were followed by statements from Mr. CHO Jung Pyo, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea, and Dr. Soeung RATHCAVY, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Secretariat. There were two Sessions, one in the morning followed by another in the afternoon, respectively under the topic of "Enhancing Regional Investment" and "Further Strengthening Environmental Cooperation." Active discussions took place among the participants at each Session. The Forum ended with the closing remarks by Mr. IHARA Junichi, Deputy Director-General of Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.



The 4th East Asia Forum in Siem Reap, Cambodia (November 22, 2006)

The 4th East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on November 22, 2006 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Among the participants of the 4th Forum were, representing Cambodia, Mr. HOR Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. KAO Kim Hourn, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and others, and Mr. ONG Keng Yong, Secretary-General of ASEAN Secretariat. From Japan participated: representing business, Mr. INOUE Akiyoshi, President of Sanyu Appraisal Corporation and Vice Chairman & Corporate Member of the Council on East Asian Community (CEAC); representing government, Mr. TAKAHASHI Fumiaki, Ambassador to Cambodia; and representing academia, Amb. SUGIUCHI Naotoshi, Vice President and Member of CEAC. Also from the CEAC Secretariat was Ms. FUJII Miyuki, Assistant Chief of East Asian Studies of CEAC.



The 3rd East Asia Forum in Beijing, China (October 30-31, 2005)

The 3rd East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on October 31, 2005 in Beijing, China with Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan giving the opening salutations as representative of the host country. The 3rd Forum was held under the auspices of the China Foreign Affairs University, with President Amb. Wu Jianmin stating that "at the 3rd NEAT Annual Conference in Tokyo, Japan, we compiled policy recommendations which will contribute to formulate the Second Joint Statement at the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN+3 Summit in 2007."

The National Focal Point of Japan, the Japan Forum of International Relations (JFIR), appointed Amb. ISHIGAKI Yasuji, Councilor of JFIR (concurrently Vice President of CEAC) to attend the Forum. Also, Mr. TAKADA Toshihisa, Deputy Director-General, Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Japanese government and Dr. YOSHITOMI Masaru, Vice President of CEAC (concurrently President & Chief Research Officer, Research Institute of Economy Trade & Industry) both attended the Forum’s proceedings. Taking this opportunity, on 30th October, the Chinese side convened the Joint Study Convention on East Asia Cooperation, which was attended by CEAC Vice Presidents Amb. ISHIGAKI and Dr. YOSHITOMI.



The 2nd East Asia Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (December 5-6, 2004)

The 2nd East Asia Forum was held on December 5-6, 2004 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Political leaders in East Asia such as Mr. Mahathir Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mr. KIM Dae-jung, former President of Korea, and Mr. HATA Tsutomu, former Prime Minister of Japan attended the Forum. Other participants from Japan included Mr. UESHIMA Shigeji, Counselor of Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Mr. TANIGAWA Shuzen, Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Prof. ITO Kenichi, President of CEAC. From the hosting country (Malaysia), Mr. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Mr. Syed Hamid Albar, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malaysia both attended the Forum.



The 1st East Asia Forum in Seoul, Korea (December 14-16, 2003)

The 1st East Asia Forum was held on December 14-16, 2003 in Seoul, South Korea. Participants from Japan included Mr. UESHIMA Shigeji, Advisor to Mitsui & Co., Mr. NISHIMIYA Shinichi, Deputy-Director General, Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. YOSHITOMI Masaru, Research Fellow, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. The Japan Forum of International Relations (JFIR) which is the National Focal Point of Japan was represented by Dr. JIMBO Ken, Director of Research.

The attendance of Mr. ROH Moo Hyun, President of South Korea, at the opening of the inaugural Forum left a strong impression of enthusiasm for the Forum on the South Korean side, and this mood was further enhanced by the participation of other such high level guests as Mr. KIM Dae-jung, former President of South Korea, Mr. Mahathir Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mr. Vo Van Kiet, former Prime Minister of Vietnam, and Mr. HATA Tsutomu, former Prime Minister of Japan. At the Forum, the opinion was expressed that an East Asia Summit should be held soon with an eye to creating an East Asian Community, and it was decided to hold the next Forum in Malaysia.