Akazawa Receives APEC Leaders’ Recommendations from ABAC
Overview
On October 27, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa met with members of ABAC Japan and received the 2026 “Recommendations to APEC Leaders,” centered on ABAC’s 2026 themes of “Openness,” “Connectivity,” and “Synergy.” The members explained proposals on strengthening the WTO, building resilient supply chains and logistics, addressing social challenges through AI and quantum technologies, and advancing digital currencies and tokenized financial infrastructure. The minister thanked the members for their contributions and said he wanted to strengthen cooperation with the business community to develop a hybrid trade strategy that advances free trade and the rule of law.
Key points
- Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa received the 2026 “Recommendations to APEC Leaders” from members of ABAC Japan.
- The recommendations are built around the themes of “Openness,” “Connectivity,” and “Synergy.”
- The proposals presented covered the WTO, supply chains and logistics, AI and quantum technologies, and financial infrastructure.
- The minister said he wanted to strengthen cooperation with the business community in developing the trade strategy.
Overview
The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) is APEC’s official private-sector advisory body, established in 1996. It represents the business community of the Asia-Pacific region and compiles “Recommendations to APEC Leaders” each year. Its members are business representatives appointed by the leaders of each of the 21 APEC economies.
Impact
The minister said that Japan would develop a hybrid trade strategy, working with like-minded economies in various forums, including the APEC ministerial and leaders’ meetings in November, to advance free trade and the rule of law, and would strengthen cooperation with the business community in promoting it.
Details
From Japan, two members and two alternate members, appointed by the Prime Minister, contribute to ABAC’s activities.
Member Ikeda explained proposals to strengthen the WTO and build resilient supply chains and logistics; alternate member Takahashi addressed solving social challenges through the social implementation of AI and quantum technologies; and member Furusawa discussed advancing interoperable, resilient digital currencies and tokenized financial infrastructure. The minister thanked all the members who compiled the recommendations.