History
The Japan-ASEAN Youth Summit project (JAYS Project) was launched in May 2023 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN friendship. Initiated by Hiroki Kimiwada, the project aims to provide high school students from Japan and ASEAN countries with opportunities to engage with peers and experts across various fields, addressing the lack of platforms for high school students compared to university students. The committee members are dedicated to the project's success, with an initial focus on establishing connections and preparing for a summer 2023 trip to Jakarta.
April 2023
Tracing Our Journey
August 2023
August 2024
In late August 2023, We traveled to Singapore and Jakarta with the goal of promoting the JAYS project and visiting related organizations. In Singapore, we visited Danman High School and the RSiS defense research institute to deepen my understanding of security issues, and collaborated with a local company, Mercrics, on an IT-based local survey. These activities were beneficial for an online conference scheduled for December. I also met with the ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO), our primary partner, to discuss the future direction of the JAYS project and agreed that the Japan-ASEAN Youth Summit Executive Committee would handle fundraising and content preparation, while AYO would manage logistics. Additionally, AYO facilitated a visit to the ASEAN Secretariat, where we discussed the JAYS project and future collaboration.
In late August 2024, we traveled again to Singapore and Jakarta to make the in-person summit a reality. Together with AYO, we visited Indonesian ministries, including the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (KEMENKO PMK), to seek support and collaboration in content development. We also visited Japan-affiliated companies based in Indonesia, establishing sponsorships and partnerships for content collaboration. Additionally, we met with the ASEAN-Japan Mission, gaining understanding and support for the overall JAYS project.
With the various connections established through this trip, the JAYS is finally scheduled to be held in February 2025.
April 2024
In preparation for the in-person Japan-ASEAN Youth Summit, an online conference was held for high school students from Japan and Southeast Asia. The Japan-ASEAN Youth Summit Executive Committee handled the conference content, while the ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO) was responsible for participant recruitment. The one-day event attracted around 50 high school students and included four thematic subcommittees: security, technology, society, and environment. Each subcommittee featured lectures and workshops based on their respective themes.
In March 2024, the project was selected for a grant from the Expo Memorial Foundation.
_241028_1.jpg)