BANGKOK, Thailand – Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun met with Japanese Ambassador to Thailand Masato Otaka on January 14, to reaffirm the comprehensive strategic partnership between Thailand and Japan and to promote trade and investment cooperation, with a focus on future industries.
Both parties discussed strengthening economic, trade, and investment cooperation. Thailand encouraged Japanese investors to expand investment in future industries and proposed a faster review of the Japan–Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) to ensure it remains responsive to evolving trade patterns.
The Commerce Minister noted that Japan is Thailand’s third-largest trading partner and a long-standing partner in regional supply chains. Thailand reaffirmed its readiness to supply high-quality agricultural and food products to Japan, including rice, processed chicken, and canned seafood, and requested support for increased imports of Thai rice. Thailand also asked Japan to help facilitate Thai products through Japanese trading firms in Thailand and their global networks.
Japan is Thailand’s largest investor, with nearly 6,000 Japanese companies operating in the country. Thailand invited Japanese investors and startups to invest and share expertise, especially in New S-Curve industries such as digital and artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductors, next-generation vehicles, future food, clean energy, biotechnology, health sciences, and hydrogen energy research for tropical countries.
Both sides supported cooperation on trade remedy measures through knowledge exchange and training to strengthen investor protection and ensure effective implementation.
The meeting noted that 2027 will mark the 140th anniversary of Thailand–Japan diplomatic relations, highlighting ongoing cooperation in economic, cultural, and people-to-people relations. One example is the Thai Kimono Project, which combines Thai textiles under Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya’s initiative with traditional Japanese kimono design. The production principles follow the royal initiative of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. The project has received positive feedback from Japanese consumers and serves as a platform for cultural exchange and the development of contemporary products. (NNT)
