H.E. Otaka Masato, the Japanese Ambassador to Thailand, delivered a keynote address at a symposium on innovation hosted by CP Group. He commended CP Group, Thailand’s leading conglomerate, for its 15-year commitment to fostering innovation, underscoring its importance for maintaining a number-one position.
At the CP Innovation Exposition & Symposium 2025, Ambassador Otaka highlighted the enduring historical ties between Japan and Thailand, noting that while diplomatic relations will officially mark their 138th anniversary on 26 September this year, their connection dates back further to the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the late 16th century. This era saw flourishing maritime exchanges and the establishment of a Japanese quarter in Ayutthaya, laying the groundwork for today’s international networks and forming a bedrock of current cooperation.
The symposium’s venue, True Digital Park, was recognized by the Ambassador as a symbol of the future—a vibrant ecosystem where startups, major global companies, investors, universities, and government agencies converge to turn innovation into reality. He highlighted the park’s significance, mentioning visits by Japanese Digital Economy Minister Kono Taro and former Economy Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi, who co-hosted the “Rock Thailand Startup” event there in collaboration with CP Group. These initiatives, he said, have significantly deepened Japan’s collaboration with Thailand.
Ambassador Otaka noted that while the automotive sector has long symbolised Japan’s presence in Thailand, contributing significantly to its growth for decades, new demands are emerging—such as carbon neutrality, decarbonisation, and the integration of digital technology. He cited the success of a collaborative project between CP Group, Toyota, and five other Japanese automakers in producing Thailand’s first biohydrogen as a prime example of new value creation. Furthermore, a public-private consortium, Hydrogen Thailand, signed a memorandum of cooperation with Japan Hydrogen Association (JH2A) in December last year, signalling continued expansion in Thailand’s manufacturing sector.
Looking ahead, the Ambassador pointed to Thailand’s substantial potential for solar energy and proposed that, combined with Japanese technology, new energy models could be developed. Specifically, Japan aims to mass-produce perovskite solar cells—thin, bendable, lightweight, flexible, and low-cost—representing a promising area of cooperation.
The space industry was also identified as a frontier for collaboration, with the Japanese government committing 1 trillion yen to support it. Ambassador Otaka revealed CP Group’s keen interest in this field, noting the groundbreaking achievement in June this year, when Thai-style chicken dishes developed by CP Group were successfully delivered to the International Space Station—much to the astronauts’ delight. This initiative symbolises Thailand’s growing potential in both food and space exploration, combining advanced technologies with creativity.
Lastly, Ambassador Otaka reaffirmed the deep, centuries-old bond between Japan and Thailand, from the trading days of Ayutthaya to their shared path of economic development. He expressed confidence that the two nations would continue as strong partners—learning, competing, and collaborating hand in hand to unlock a brighter future. He extended his appreciation to CP Group and True Digital Park, expressing hope that the event would foster new seeds of cooperation.
