[Special correspondent of the Global Times strictly Global Times reporter Ni Hao] "With the rise of China's electric vehicles in Southeast Asia, Japan intends to work with ASEAN to develop the first joint strategy for automobile production and sales in the region." The Japanese Economic News reported on the 20th that the two sides plan to develop a medium-term strategy with 2035 as the node. Over the years, many Japanese car companies such as Toyota and Honda have established factories in ASEAN. The local production of Japanese cars exceeds 3 million units every year, accounting for 80% of the total production in ASEAN.

This common strategy of 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 (about 6.5 billion yuan) subsidy confirmed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan in the 2023 supplementary budget, including the implementation of digital education for workers in factories and parts supply chain enterprises. Second, decarbonization of automobile manufacturing engineering is mainly achieved by using Japanese technology to visualize the carbon dioxide emissions of factories and promote the flexible use of renewable energy in the decarbonization of manufacturing processes. Third, ensure investment in new fields such as mineral resources and biofuel development. In the investment in new fields, carry out joint procurement of rare minerals needed for new energy batteries and research on recycling of used batteries, as well as research and development of biofuels using waste oil. Fourth, Japan and ASEAN share information with the outside world.

According to the Japanese Economic News, as Chinese enterprises such as BYD and SAIC Group strengthen their influence in ASEAN countries, Japanese enterprises increasingly need government intervention to develop joint strategies. Taking the Thai market as an example, 85% of the electric vehicles sold locally in 2023 will be Chinese brands. A senior executive of an automobile enterprise said, "Due to the rise in interest rates and other reasons, the overall demand of the automobile industry in Southeast Asia has declined, and only the Chinese automobile enterprises have stood up."

In this regard, Xiang Haoyu, a specially appointed researcher of the Asia Pacific Institute of the Chinese Academy of International Studies, said in an interview with the Global Times on the 21st that Southeast Asia is an important overseas market for Japanese car companies, is also regarded as a major potential market, and is a strategic focus for competition and protection. In the face of competition from Chinese car companies, Japanese car companies have increased their awareness of crisis to increase investment to maintain their competitive advantage with China. ASEAN is also willing to take the opportunity to attract Japanese enterprises to expand investment and help local economic development.

However, Xiang Haoyu believes that the effect of Japan's action is not optimistic. "First, Japanese car companies are complacent and start late in the electric transformation. At least they lack cost advantages in the electric car market. To maintain market share, they have to rely on traditional fuel vehicles or hybrid vehicles, and rely on long-term accumulated brand awareness to 'eat old bread'. Second, when promoting decarbonization cooperation, Japan also needs to take into account the reality of economic development in ASEAN countries, adapt to local real needs, and should not rush forward, including the development of hydrogen energy and biofuels that Japanese enterprises are good at, and also need to consider market acceptance. "