Experts on Thai-Japan relations say Japan and Thailand should deepen cooperation in advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital infrastructure to strengthen regional competitiveness and economic resilience.
Japan’s long-standing investment in Thailand is increasingly shifting towards industrial upgrading, automation, electric vehicles (EVs) and digital transformation, creating opportunities to expand cooperation beyond traditional manufacturing into research and development (R and D) and advanced production.
Prof Arata Kuno of Asia University highlighted the importance of international cooperation among trusted partners, particularly through existing trade agreements, shared expertise and common infrastructure standards as economic and cybersecurity risks cross national borders.
Kyoko Hokugo, deputy director-general of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau and the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Asean was emerging as a global growth centre, with its gross domestic product expected to surpass Japan’s in 2027.
Thailand remains a major destination for Japanese investment, hosting more than 6,000 Japanese companies with cumulative investment of approximately 3.1 trillion baht. Between 2021 and mid-2026, Japanese businesses increasingly pursued industrial upgrading, automation, EV production and digital transformation through Thailand’s Board of Investment.
Professor Seiya Sukegawa of Kokushikan University’s Faculty of Political Science and Economics highlighted opportunities to expand industrial cooperation and digital transformation, moving beyond basic assembly towards integrated R and D and advanced manufacturing.
Energy security and decarbonisation are also key areas for cooperation through Japan’s Asia Zero Emission Community initiative. Potential projects include low-carbon concrete using carbon capture and utilisation technology, alongside cooperation in liquefied natural gas infrastructure, power systems, energy efficiency, renewable energy, hydrogen, ammonia and carbon capture, utilisation and storage.
Junya Ujiie, director of the GX Business Department, Plants and Infrastructure Systems at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, said Japanese companies had contributed to Thailand’s industrial development since the 1980s. Recent initiatives include organic Rankine cycle technology and feasibility studies involving Thailand’s PTT and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on hydrogen and ammonia.
Digital infrastructure is another emerging area. Thailand is seeking to establish itself as a regional data-centre hub, attracting investment in infrastructure and supporting industries ranging from telecommunications and energy to engineering, cybersecurity and software.
Thailand is developing direct power purchase agreements for eligible electricity buyers alongside its Utility Green Tariff to support data-centre expansion while improving access to lower-carbon electricity, according to the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Japan and Thailand are also working within a broader regional framework on cybersecurity, environmental management and energy connectivity, according to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
Ms Hokugo said closer cooperation could help Japan and Thailand strengthen their competitiveness.