Johor Bahru:Tokyo Ten years have passed since the unveiling of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy by then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Nairobi, Kenya. This diplomatic strategy has since gained traction in the United States and Europe, emphasizing the principles of freedom, openness, and rule of law to foster a prosperous region.
According to Thai News Agency, as FOIP evolved, it has emphasized collaboration with partners such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen the region through technological cooperation and workforce development, focusing on growth sectors like digital technology and semiconductors.
Southeast Asia is emerging as a hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor industries, driven by a trend of 'de-risking' in response to US-China tensions. Johor, Malaysia, has become a prominent data center hub, attracting major companies like Microsoft Corp., Nvidia Corp., and NTT Data Japan Corp. This growth is partly due to Johor's abundant land and lower costs compared to neighboring Singapore, where data center approvals were suspended in 2019 due to resource concerns.
NTT Data plans to develop a large-scale data center campus in Johor with a power capacity of 290 megawatts, highlighting Johor Bahru's importance as a cross-border economic zone. The company will introduce advanced cooling technology to manage the heat generated by data centers, supporting industrial upgrading in Southeast Asia.
Vietnam is also attracting digital investment, with Intel Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. expanding operations in high-tech industries. Vietnam Japan University is supporting semiconductor workforce development, aiming to train 50,000 professionals by 2030. This initiative is part of Japan's efforts to strengthen industrial ties and nurture talent in the region.
Graduates of Vietnam's semiconductor program are expected to join global semiconductor companies, contributing to Vietnam's goal of developing a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem. Collaborative educational programs between Japan and Southeast Asian countries are fostering strong people-to-people networks, enhancing mutual understanding and development assistance.