The Future of Community and Mobility Week
The Future I Want to See:
Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive Communities in ASEAN, Japan and Beyond
ASEAN (Association of South‐East Asian Nations)
Aligned with the EXPO 2025 theme, this program paints how ASEAN and Japan can engineer an inclusive and sustainable future that integrate smartechnology, sustainability, and inclusivity as core values. By fostering collaboration among governments, businesses, and local communities in ASEAN and Japan, we can create resilient communities that prioritize environmental stewardship, social inclusion, and economic growth. Through a high-level keynote speech and a dynamic discussion, participants will explore how cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices can transform urban and rural areas into thriving, inclusive spaces for all. The program will also feature the winner of the ASEAN-Japan Centre’s “ASEAN New Generation” Short Film Award depicting creative and inspiring imaginations of the future of ASEAN and Japan.
Discussion
- Smart cities
- Digital garden cities
- Automatic operation
- Innovative Business, Sustainabel Business, Inclusive Business.
Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
---|---|
Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
Reservations are required for this programme.
Booking typically opens with the '2-month advance lottery.' Click below for details.
* Arrive early; latecomers may not be admitted.
For more information about making a reservation to watch a programme.
Please watch the Virtual Studio if you are outside the venue.
-
Track Programme
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
- Time and
Date of
the event -
-
2025.05.25[Sun]
14:00 ~ 16:30
(Venue Open 13:30)
-
- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
14:00 – 14:05
Introduction to “The Future I Want to See: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Initiatives in ASEAN, Japan and Beyond”
Emcee:
Ms. Reiko Nagaoka
Project Officer, ASEAN-Japan Centre
14:06 – 14:10
Opening Remarks
H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn
Secretary-General of ASEAN
14:11 – 14:14
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
14:15 – 14:30
Keynote Speech: Engineering Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive Futures
Speaker:
Mr. YOSHIDA Katsuhiko
Director, President COO & CFO of MinebeaMitsumi Inc.
14:31 – 15:20
Panel Discussion
Moderator:
• Dr. Kunihiko HIRABAYASHI, ASEAN-Japan Centre, Secretary General
Panelists:
• Mr. Katsuhiko Yoshida – MinebeaMitsumi Inc., Director, President COO & CFO
• Mr. Robin Takashi Lewis – myMizu, Co-Founder
• Ms. June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla – Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), Chief Finance Officer, Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief Risk Officer
• Mr. Jerome Barradas – ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Director of Public Engagement Divison
15:21 – 15:30
Q&A from Audience
15:31 – 15:55
Special Feature: “ASEAN New Generation” Short Film Award
Featuring the winner of the ASEAN New Generation Short Film Award
15:56 – 15:58
Closing Remarks
H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn
Secretary-General of ASEAN
16:00 Wrap up and end
Reports
On 25 May 2025, the ASEAN-Japan Centre and the ASEAN Secretariat co-organized a special dialogue “The Future I Want to See: Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive Communities in ASEAN, Japan and Beyond” at the Theme Weeks Studio, as part of Expo 2025’s “The Future of Mobility and Community Week.” The event explored how smart technology, sustainability, and inclusivity can shape the future of communities in the region.
The session opened with a video message from H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, who emphasized ASEAN’s commitment to innovation and sustainability through regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Strategy, ASEAN Smart Cities Network, and the ASEAN Framework for Circular Economy—all aligned with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Katsuhiko Yoshida, Director and President COO & CFO of MinebeaMitsumi Inc., a leading Japanese semiconductor manufacturer with operations in ASEAN. He highlighted how precision engineering and innovation can promote inclusive and sustainable development, citing solar power and energy efficiency initiatives in Cambodia and Thailand.
A dynamic panel discussion followed, featuring Mr. Yoshida; Mr. Robin Takashi Lewis, CEO and Co-founder of myMizu; Ms. Chaye Cabal-Revilla, CFO, CSO, and CRO of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC); and Mr. Jerome Barradas, Director of Public Engagement of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB).
Key takeaways included:
1. Scaling Sustainability: Cross-sector collaboration is essential for expanding sustainability efforts, as noted by ACB’s Barradas.
2. Sustainability as a Catalyst: Panelists stressed that sustainability is now a foundation and a driver for socio-economic growth and resilience, as well as strategic core of business and governance, not just an ethical choice.
3. Role of Technology: AI and digital technologies play a role in advancing sustainability, though challenges exist regarding the digitalization of core analog know-how in precision manufacturing.
4. Addressing Challenges and Seizing Opportunities: MPIC’s Cabal-Revilla addressed climate and infrastructure risks, advocating resilience and biodiversity-conscious business models.
5. Nature-Based Solutions: Biodiversity mainstreaming, ecosystem restoration, and circular economies are integral for ecological and economic health.
6. Youth Engagement: The creativity of youth was recognized as a force for innovation, with platforms like the ASEAN-Japan Centre’s Short Film Award encouraging their active participation.
7. Entrepreneurial Mindset: Social enterprises like myMizu exemplify how adaptability and resourcefulness can help scale sustainability solutions.
8. Inclusivity and Diversity: “Leaving no one behind” was a shared value, with emphasis on integrating marginalized voices into planning and implementation.
9. ASEAN-Japan Cooperation: The event highlighted growing collaboration in sustainable development, digital transformation, and biodiversity protection under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
10. Individual Action: Ultimately, progress begins with individuals who care deeply and act with purpose—participants were encouraged to identify and take their own first step.
Following the panel, the 10 winning entries of the ASEAN New Generation Short Film Award were screened. These youth-created films showcased fresh perspectives on sustainability and community. The featured works included:
KANTO (Philippines), Distance (Lao PDR), Replay (Philippines), Everything’s Gonna Be Okay (Philippines), The Assignment (Indonesia), Hobby (Philippines), The Outside Life Balance (Lao PDR), The Grilled Rice (Lao PDR), Dear, Bapak... (Malaysia), and Frames of Tomorrow (Cambodia).
The event concluded with a call to action from H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, urging all participants to reflect on their personal role in advancing sustainability. Audience members contributed their aspirations and commitments to an interactive visual artwork created by Mr. Riyo Harata and Ms. Yumino Tanaka, symbolizing collective responsibility and hope for the future.
For more information on the event report, please visit the website of the ASEAN-Japan Centre at https://www.asean.or.jp/en/event-report/20250602/ .
Cast
Moderator
ASEAN-Japan Centre
Kunihiko Hirabayashi, MD PhD
Secretary General of ASEAN-Japan Centre
Born in 1958 in Nagano Prefecture, Dr. Kunihiko Hirabayashi has been serving as the Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre since September 2021. Previously, he was the Regional Chief of Health and Regional Advisor at UNICEF’s East Asia and Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand. Dr. Hirabayashi dedicated over 18 years of service to UNICEF, working as a technical advisor and regional representative from May 2003 to August 2021. Before his work with UNICEF, he spent around a decade providing technical assistance in hospitals across developing countries. He earned his Ph.D. in Physiology and Medicine from the University of Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
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Speakers
Katsuhiko Yoshida
Director, President COO & CFO of MinebeaMitsumi Inc.
Mr. Katsuhiko Yoshida joined MinebeaMitsumi Inc. in April 1984 and has held various leadership positions throughout his career. He served as General Manager of the Cambodia Business Promotion Office in 2010, Head of the Operation Department at the Electronic Device & Component Manufacturing Headquarters in 2013, and Executive Officer in 2014. In 2017, he became Managing Executive Officer, and in 2018, Deputy Chief of the Tokyo Head Office.
Mr. Yoshida was appointed Senior Managing Executive Officer in 2019, and in 2020, he became a Director at ABLIC Inc., MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD., and U-Shin Ltd. He currently serves as Director, President, COO, and CFO of MinebeaMitsumi Inc., while also holding leadership roles at various subsidiaries, including Director of Minebea AccessSolutions Inc. since January 2023. His expertise covers business administration, corporate planning, and sustainability management.
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Robin Takashi Lewis
Co-Founder of myMizu
Mr. Robin Takashi Lewis is an award-winning social entrepreneur and educator based in Japan. He is Co-CEO of Social Innovation Japan, a two-time winner of Japan's 'Minister of Environment Prize,' and Co-founder of mymizu, a platform reducing plastic waste through technology and community.
With over 13 years of experience, Mr. Takashi Lewis has worked with social enterprises, NGOs, and inter-governmental organizations, managing climate and disaster-related projects across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. He has also led empowerment programs for tens of thousands globally.
Mr. Takashi Lewis is a recipient of M.I.T. Technology Review’s ‘Innovators Under-35’ Japan Award and Business Insider Japan's 'Beyond Millennials' Award. He is also a 2024 Obama Leader Asia-Pacific. His environmental work has been featured by CNN, Netflix, and NHK.
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June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla
Chief Finance Officer, Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief Risk Officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC)
Ms. June Cheryl-Cabal Revilla is an accomplished executive with extensive leadership experience in the telecommunications and infrastructure sectors. Prior to joining MPIC, she held various executive roles at PLDT Group, the Philippines' largest telco company. She has been an appointed member of the Financial Reporting and Sustainability Standards Council (FRSC) of the Philippines since 2010. As the founding chair of Gabay Guro, the country’s largest education advocacy program for teachers, she has made significant contributions to the education sector in the Philippines.
Ms. Cabal-Revilla holds a Bachelor’s in Accountancy from De La Salle University and a Master’s in Business Management from the Asian Institute of Management. She was awarded the AIM Triple A Award in 2020 and is currently a trustee at both AIM and DLSU. She also completed executive programs at Stanford and MIT. Her achievements include the Accountancy Centenary Award of Excellence in 2023 and recognition as the Most Influential Filipina Woman in the World at the Filipina Leadership Global Summit in 2023.
Ms. Cabal-Revilla has received multiple Best CFO, CSO, and Top CEO awards from institutions across the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. She was also named a Ten Outstanding Young Man (TOYM) awardee in 2013.
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Jerome Barradas
Director of Public Engagement Division of ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
Mr. Jerome Barradas is the Director of the Public Engagement Division at the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), where he oversees the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Centre's public engagement work plan. His division focuses on media relations, including news releases, press statements, and organizing press events to engage the public on ASEAN and biodiversity issues.
Before joining ACB, Mr. Barradas was the project coordinator for the Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources (AFNR) Knowledge Platform at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), which aimed to accelerate agricultural transformation through innovation in Southeast Asia.
Previously, Mr. Barradas served as a program communication specialist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), where he worked closely with scientists to develop communication materials and managed capacity-building programs for the IRRI Training Center.
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Co-organiser
ASEAN Secretariat
ASEAN-Japan Centre
More Information
The Future of Community and Mobility Week
The Future I Want to See:
Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive Communities in ASEAN, Japan and Beyond
Aligned with the EXPO 2025 theme, this program paints how ASEAN and Japan can engineer an inclusive and sustainable future that integrate smartechnology, sustainability, and inclusivity as core values. By fostering collaboration among governments, businesses, and local communities in ASEAN and Japan, we can create resilient communities that prioritize environmental stewardship, social inclusion, and economic growth. Through a high-level keynote speech and a dynamic discussion, participants will explore how cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices can transform urban and rural areas into thriving, inclusive spaces for all. The program will also feature the winner of the ASEAN-Japan Centre’s “ASEAN New Generation” Short Film Award depicting creative and inspiring imaginations of the future of ASEAN and Japan.
-
2025.05.25[Sun]
14:00~16:30
(Venue Open 13:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
Reservations are required for this programme.
Booking typically opens with the '2-month advance lottery.' Click below for details.
* Arrive early; latecomers may not be admitted.
For more information about making a reservation to watch a programme.
Please watch the Virtual Studio if you are outside the venue.
OTHER PROGRAM
The Future of Community and Mobility Week