Japan to provide financial support for tech projects in Southeast Asia

Tokyo (VNA) – The Japanese government will provide financial assistance for 23 tech-related cooperation projects between the country and Southeast Asian companies, the Yomiuri Shimbun of Japan reported on October 13.

Accordingly, the projects aim to address challenges such as agricultural productivity and medical quality faced by countries in Southeast Asia by utilizing the private sector.

The Yomiuri Shimbun said the Japanese government will announce the plan before Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga visits Vietnam and Indonesia in his first diplomatic trip from October 18-21.

As planned, Japan will provide a total of 500 million JPY (nearly 4.75 million USD) for the 23 projects in nine ASEAN member states.

Among the projects, Sojitz Corp. will provide pig farmers in Vietnam with an IT-based production management system. They can adjust the amount of feed and manage health conditions by analyzing the movement of pigs with a camera to improve product quality.

In Cambodia, Toyota Tsusho Corp. will team up with Grab, a company that operates car-hailing services throughout Southeast Asia, offering services combining sightseeing and various modes of transportation, including buses and taxis.

In Thailand, Hitachi Co., Ltd will use artificial intelligence to analyze medical data at major local hospitals to improve medical services, such as personalized treatment and medication.

Meanwhile, Japanese and Indonesian auto parts makers will work together to enhance production efficiency.

Previously, Japan and ASEAN agreed to work together on putting digital services into practical use in order to enhance the sustainability of economic activities in the face of the spread of the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

The assistance is hoped to help Japanese companies expand into new businesses in Southeast Asia and stimulate the creation of more digital services in Japan at the same time./.