24th ASEAN–Japan High-Level Meeting on Social Security
Overview
The 24th ASEAN–Japan High-Level Meeting on Social Security will be held in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, from October 26 to 28, 2026, under the theme of comprehensive support and community building toward an inclusive society. It will address shared challenges in welfare, health care, and employment support in ASEAN countries and Japan. Government officials will share initiatives and experience and consider approaches based on collaboration among residents, private organizations, and government. Information is also provided on participants, co-organizers and cooperating organizations, and how to apply to observe.
Key points
- The theme of the 24th meeting is “Comprehensive Support and Community Building Toward an Inclusive Society.”
- The meeting has been held annually since 2003, and government officials responsible for employment policy have been invited since 2011.
- Government officials from 11 ASEAN countries, China, and South Korea are eligible to participate.
- Programs open to observers and media are scheduled for the first and final days of the meeting.
Overview
To develop relations with ASEAN countries in social security and strengthen human resource development, the meeting invites government officials responsible for social welfare, health care policy, and employment policy to share and discuss challenges and responses. As a Japanese cooperation initiative, it is positioned to help achieve the objectives of the ASEAN+3 Health Ministers Meeting, the Social Welfare Ministers Meeting, and the Labour Ministers Meeting.
As populations age in ASEAN countries, challenges include systems to support older people and people facing hardship, access to health care and welfare services, chronic illness and long-term care, and disparities in support arising from employment arrangements. Responding to increasingly complex life challenges amid declining birthrates, aging populations, and changes in local communities is also a shared concern with Japan.
Details
Main discussion topics include creating systems for mutual support in local communities and layered support; practical approaches to community building in which diverse residents support one another; and cross-sector collaboration that underpins comprehensive local support. Participants will share experience with Japan’s layered support system, which integrates consultation support, participation support, and community building support, as well as collaboration across health care, welfare, and employment, and consider approaches based on cooperation among residents, private organizations, and government.
The venue is Kagawa International Conference Hall in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture. Participants will include government officials responsible for social welfare, health, and employment policy from 11 ASEAN countries, as well as officials from China and South Korea.
The co-organizers are Kagawa Prefecture, Takamatsu City, and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). Cooperating organizations are the ASEAN Secretariat, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office in Japan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The meeting’s working language is English, and simultaneous interpretation between Japanese and English will be provided on the first day.
Those wishing to observe must submit the designated application form to the secretariat by email. If there are more applicants than available places, selection will be by lottery. Observers must present photo identification and follow the rules, including using designated areas, silencing mobile phones and other devices, and maintaining quiet.