The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF Japan) jointly organized the‘ASEAN-Japan Symposium for Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Development in ASEAN: Focusing on Decarbonization and Digitalization’ with the ASEAN Secretariat and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). The Symposium took place from 25th to 27th November in Tokyo, Japan.
 
Approximately 100 participants, including government officials from ASEAN Member States and Japan, as well as representatives from the private sector, academia, and international organizations within and beyond the ASEAN region, gathered to discuss pathways for decarbonizing and digitalizing agriculture to promote sustainable development in the sector. The summary is as follows.
 
1: Day 1
 
The ASEAN Secretariat presented the Food, Agriculture and Forestry Sectoral Plan 2026–2030 (FAF-SP 2026–2030), adopted at the 47^th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry. MAFF Japan and the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) shared the ASEAN-Japan MIDORI Cooperation Plan, revised at the 2nd ASEAN-Japan Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry Meeting in October 2025 as well as Technology Catalog Ver.4 in the plan.
 
ERIA presented the regional perspectives on digitalization in agrifood system and GHG emissions reduction pathways. FAO delivered an overview of ongoing decarbonization efforts in ASEAN.
 
Governments from ASEAN Member States and the Mission of Japan to ASEAN exchanged their views of national policies, regulatory frameworks, and emerging challenges related to decarbonization and digital transformation in agriculture.
 
A panel discussion, moderated by the Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), featured private sector representatives from ASEAN and Japan who shared practical experiences and business cases.
 
2: Day 2
 
The ASEAN Secretariat led discussions on promoting regenerative and resilient agriculture in the region. Institutions from ASEAN, together with JIRCAS, shared practical experiences and highlighted the relevance of regenerative approaches for ASEAN’s Food, Agriculture and Forestry Post-2025 Strategies.
 
A dedicated session on biochar was held, focusing on the ERIA-led initiative to conduct regional assessments and develop an ASEAN Biochar Production and Application Guidelines. JIRCAS (biochar report), the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), and the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) presented updates on their ongoing biochar research and implementation activities. AMS representatives expressed strong support for the guideline development and emphasized the importance of ensuring practicality and affordability for farmers.
 
The day concluded with a business pitching session that provided a platform for Japanese companies to showcase innovative agricultural technologies suitable for ASEAN. AMS delegates directly exchanged technical needs and potential partnership opportunities with participating companies.
 
3: Day 3
 
Participants visited TOYOSU Market, Japan’s largest wholesale market for fish, vegetables, and food products, to observe advanced food value chain systems that contribute to food security and price stabilization.
 
ASEAN delegates also engaged with Japanese start-ups and research institutions working on smart agriculture and climate-smart technologies during the Agribusiness Creation Fair 2025, organized by MAFF Japan with participation from more than 100 organizations.
 
The symposium fostered a shared understanding of the importance of strengthening regional collaboration, encouraging private-sector participation, supporting sustainable technologies, and advancing innovation in ASEAN agriculture.
 
Panel Discussion Speakers:
Moderator: Prof. Paul Teng, Managing Director & Dean, RSiS, Singapore
Speakers: Representatives from SEARCA, ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Asian Farmers Association
        　Sorimachi Vietnam, Eco-Pork Inc., Towing Co., Ltd.
 
Business Pitching Speakers:
Representatives from Topcon Corporation, Seiwa Co.,Ltd., Niinuma Co.,Ltd., Agritree Co., Ltd., SDS Biotech K.K., Faeger Co., Ltd., Archeda Inc.
 
 
ASEAN secretariat web site
https://asean.org/asean-japan-symposium-advances-decarbonisation-and-digitalisation-for-sustainable-agricultural-development/

  
Ref: 2023 Symposium of Innovation in agriculture and food system
https://asean.org/asean-and-japan-discuss-innovation-in-agriculture-and-food-system/
 
Ref: 2024 Symposium of Digital agriculture
https://asean.org/asean-japan-symposium-advances-digitalisation-for-sustainable-agriculture/