On 18 March 2026, APO Director for Japan Dr. Nobuharu Imanishi, Deputy Assistant Minister and Deputy Director-General for Global Issues, International Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, paid a courtesy visit to the APO Secretariat in Tokyo, accompanied by Deputy Director Yoshiaki Makino. The visit marked Dr. Imanishi’s first engagement with the APO Secretariat following his assumption of the position of APO Director for Japan.

The visit provided an opportunity for APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata to brief APO Director Dr. Imanishi on the APO Vision 2030 transition and the rollout of the Strategic Partnership Program (SPP), including the introduction of the SPP points system to support equitable and member-driven delivery.

The Secretariat also updated APO Director Dr. Imanishi on the APO initiatives Green Productivity (GP) 2.0 and APO Genuine AI Action (GAIA). The discussion highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation on the practical applications of AI through partnerships, such as with the Matsuo Lab, University of Tokyo, as well as broader outreach to international and private sector stakeholders.

The meeting reaffirmed Japan’s continued support for the APO’s results-based direction under Vision 2030 and its commitment to cooperating with the APO on strategic priorities related to GP and AI, as set out in Japan’s SPP Primer.