Glimpse of the big picture for two young leaders
Rob Thomson and Wilson Chau report back on what they’ve learned from attending discussions held at the Japan-New Zealand Partnership Forum and Asia-Pacific Week, both held in July 2011.
The theme of this year’s Japan-New Zealand Partnership Forum was “overcoming adversity, building the future”, and young leader Rob Thomson says the emphasis was very much on looking ahead.
“What I got was a long-term picture of what Japanese and New Zealand business leaders envision for the broader Asia-Pacific region. While acknowledging our countries' mutual disaster response support, the forum was clearly forward-focused.”
After being delayed by the catastrophe in Tohoku, the forum was held on July 11 in Tokyo, bringing together senior government and business leaders from the two countries.
Rob says he was drawn to the theme of the forum, after seeing the widespread effects of the Tohuku disasters. “I live in Hokkaido, the northern-most island of Japan. It’s an island with a strong ‘clean-green' brand, but since the disasters, Hokkaido has seen a sharp decrease in local and foreign tourists, the cause of which appears to be fears over radiation.
“Hokkaido is about 600 kilometres north of Fukushima, and has not experienced any significant increases in radiation – it’s suffering secondary impacts of the disaster. As such, I was interested to see what insights business leaders in Japan and New Zealand had into the recovery processes in both countries, with a view of becoming better-informed about how Hokkaido can speed its own recovery.”
Many speakers touched on the natural disasters, but Rob said discussion about the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPP) was a central feature of the forum’s content. “It was an opportunity for Japanese and New Zealand business leaders to reiterate their desire to see Japan join the TPP, and to present arguments as to why this would be a good idea in the context of Japan-NZ relations and the broader Asia-Pacific region as a whole.
“Speakers agreed that less-regulated trade would create mutual benefits in areas such as technological innovation (especially in the area of renewable energy technology), more opportunities for small and medium enterprises, and a more efficient global supply chain.”
The breadth of opportunities available in Asia were also made apparent to Wilson Chau, a University of Auckland postgraduate student, who attended Asia Pacific Week 2011 at the Australian National University.
“I was always aware of the rise of Asia – but I never comprehended the extent of that rise. Through a series of panel discussions, Asia Pacific Week helped me understand the immensity of the opportunities and challenges ahead.”
“Asia Pacific Week brings together students and dozens of the world's leading academics to critically engage with contemporary issues in East Asia and the Southwest Pacific. It is not only a spectacular opportunity to enrich one's understanding of the region, but it’s also a platform from which young leaders may ask questions and offer their own views.”
Wilson came away with a clear belief that New Zealand needs to re-think its role in the region.
“Asia will not wait for New Zealand. Australia has woken up to this reality, but has New Zealand? We often pride ourselves on the achievement of a free trade agreement with China and ASEAN. However, we cannot be complacent with our achievements and expect that we are on top of the game.
“Australia has made a multi-faceted approach towards Asia – through commerce and increased diplomatic engagement, with frequent scholarly and cultural exchanges, and accelerated efforts to establish Asian studies in tertiary and secondary institutions.
“Even with regards to commerce, Australia has diversified what it has to offer to Asia.
“New Zealand cannot rely on tourism and dairy alone. At the end of the day, we must make a choice. Australia has already chosen Asia as its future. I think New Zealand is still sitting on the fence.”
Images:
1. Rob Thomson
2. Wilson Chau
