[Global Times special correspondent Yan Global Times reporter Ni Hao] "With the rise of China's electric vehicles in Southeast Asia, Japan plans to work with ASEAN to formulate the first joint strategy for automobile production and sales in the region." "Nihon Keizai Shimbun" reported on the 20th It is said that the two parties plan to formulate a medium-term strategy with 2035 as the node. Over the years, many Japanese car companies such as Toyota Motor and Honda have established factories in ASEAN. The local production of Japanese cars exceeds 3 million units per year, accounting for 80% of the total production units in the ASEAN region.

Chinese electric cars

This common strategy between Japan and ASEAN includes the following four points. First, improve the overall level of the automobile industry by cultivating talents. The main source of funds for cultivating talents is the 140 billion yen (approximately RMB 6.5 billion) subsidy confirmed by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in the 2023 supplementary budget, including subsidies for factories and parts. Supply chain companies implement digital education for employees. Second, to achieve decarbonization of automobile manufacturing processes, it mainly involves using Japanese technology to visualize the carbon dioxide emissions of factories and promoting the use of renewable energy in the decarbonization of manufacturing processes. Third, secure investment in new fields such as mineral resources and biofuel development. Among new field investments, conduct research on joint procurement of rare minerals required for new energy batteries and recycling of used batteries, as well as conduct research on biofuels using waste oil. Research and development etc. Fourth, Japan and ASEAN share information with the outside world.

"Nihon Keizai Shimbun" stated that as Chinese companies such as BYD and SAIC Motor strengthen their influence in many ASEAN countries, Japanese companies increasingly need government intervention to formulate joint strategies. Taking the Thai market as an example, 85% of electric vehicles sold locally in 2023 will be Chinese brands. A car company executive said, "Due to rising interest rates and other reasons, the overall demand in the Southeast Asian auto industry has declined, and only Chinese car companies have taken the lead."

In this regard, Xiang Haoyu, a distinguished researcher at the Asia-Pacific Institute of the China Institute of International Studies, said in an interview with a reporter from the Global Times on the 21st that Southeast Asia is an important overseas market for Japanese car companies and is also regarded as a major potential market and must be fought for. strategic focus. Faced with competition from Chinese car companies, Japanese car companies have become more aware of the crisis and have increased investment to maintain their competitive advantages against China. ASEAN is also willing to take the opportunity to attract Japanese companies to expand investment and help local economic development.

However, Xiang Haoyu believes that the effect of Japan’s actions is not optimistic. "First, Japanese car companies are complacent and started late in the electric transformation. At least in the electric car market, they lack a cost advantage over China. They have to rely on traditional fuel vehicles or hybrid vehicles to maintain market share and rely on their long-term accumulated brand awareness to 'rest on their laurels.' Second, when promoting decarbonization cooperation, Japan also needs to take into account the economic development realities of ASEAN countries, adapt to local actual needs, and not rush forward, including the development of hydrogen energy and biofuels, which Japanese companies are good at, and also need to consider market acceptance. Spend."