ASEAN Secretariat, Keidanren, and JICA co-organized the joint symposium entitled on "ASEAN Connectivity: Sharing Prosperity between ASEAN and Japan" at JICA Institute in Japan on 13 September 2011. Mr. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA, and as a speaker, Mr. Ikumo Isono, Researcher of ERIA attended the symposium.

This symposium aims to further promote investment from Japanese private sector on ASEAN Connectivity. It was opened by Ms. Sadako Ogata, President of JICA. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of ASEAN, and Mr. Hiromasa Yonekura, Chairman of Keidanren delivered keynote speeches. Dr. Surin mentioned about the importance of implementation of  Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and further cooperation between ASEAN and Japan. Mr. Yonekura said that Keidanren will further cooperate with ASEAN Secretariat and ERIA towards the actual implementation of MPAC and Comprehensive Asia Development Plan (CADP) and stressed about the role of the public private partnership in implementing these plans.

Mr. Ikumo, Researcher of ERIA, made a presentation on "Economic Impacts of Connecting Japan and East Asia: Geographical Simulation Analysis" and explained on economic impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake by GSM and concluded that the links with East Asia is essential for Japan's recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

During the symposium, the participants deepened understanding on the progress and future prospects of the ASEAN Connectivity and discussed the possible roles of Japanese private sector in strengthening ASEAN Connectivity including public private partnership and  how to promote sharing of prosperity between ASEAN and Japan.