Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

April 13, 2026

1. Overview

  1. At the APEC Ministerial and Economic Leaders' Meetings held in Osaka in 1995, recognizing the importance of business cooperation and involvement in all APEC activities, the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) was established.
  2. As APEC's sole official advisory body composed of business representatives from APEC economies, ABAC is expected to make direct recommendations to APEC leaders on important issues to the business community. It submits recommendations annually ahead of the fall APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. Furthermore, at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, a dialogue is held between ABAC members and APEC leaders based on these recommendations.
  3. ABAC members are appointed by the leaders of each APEC member economy, with no more than three members per economy.
  4. The ABAC International Secretariat is located in the Philippines.
  5. ABAC typically holds four meetings per year to compile recommendations for the leaders.

2. Japan’s Contribution

Japan places high importance on cooperation with ABAC, evidenced below:

  • Alongside the United States, Japan is a leading financial pillar for ABAC, accounting for 18% of its overall contributions.
  • Japan fosters a steady dialogue through frequent exchanges between APEC Senior Officials and ABAC Japan members, nurturing initiatives that directly benefit businesses across the Asia-Pacific Region.

3. ABAC Japan Members

  1. Japan dispatches three members and two alternate members appointed by the Prime Minister as representatives of the business community to ABAC meetings. Each member contributes to ABAC discussions by leveraging their expertise.
  2. The following five individuals have been appointed as Japan Members (in order of appointment):
  • Mr. Junichiro IKEDA, Chairman of the Board, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
  • Mr. Mitsuhiro FURUSAWA, President of the Institute for Global Financial Affairs, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
  • Mr. Hidenori FURUTA, Non-Executive Chairman, Fujitsu Limited
  • Mr. Toru HIKIMA (Alternate Member), Executive Officer, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
  • Mr. Taizo TAKAHASHI (Alternate Member), Corporate Executive Officer, SEVP, Fujitsu Limited
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