President's Message

- Regarding the Activities of the ASEAN-India Regional Office -

As of April 1, 2021, the ASEAN-India Regional Office (abbreviated AIRO) of the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute was established in Bangkok, Thailand. We will start our activities in Southeast and South Asia with resident researchers from Japan, local staff, and myself as the President.

At the time of the establishment of AIRO, we set three missions.

1. To contribute to create a more prosperous society through the development of transportation and tourism in Southeast and South Asia.
2. To achieve results in solving the problems of transportation and tourism in the region that can be realized by the local communities through both academic and practical cooperation.
3. To build a sustainable relationship of friendship and trust through the enhancement of exchange, cooperation and collaboration between the local and Japanese stakeholders.

To achieve these missions, AIRO will make every effort together with the support and cooperation of everyone concerned, especially in the ASEAN-India region.

With this in mind, AIRO will be engaged in four activities.

1. Research and surveys
2. Organizing seminars and symposiums
3. Providing and distributing information
4. Building and expanding organizational and human networks

Specifically, in fiscal year 2021, which will be the first year of its establishment, we will engage in the following activities.

1. Research and surveys on improving safety and security in transportation and tourism, railway and area development, new mobility, and cold chain networks.
2. Organize seminars and symposiums on topics such as safety and security improvement, railway and area development, high quality cold chain networks, and tourism.
3. Providing information through AIRO's website, posting the "ASEAN India Regional Office Report" on the headquarters' website, and publishing the "AIRO-JOURNAL" (tentative name).

In addition, through these activities, 4. AIRO will sequentially build and expand its organizational and human networks, while receiving cooperation from related organizations and individuals in the public and private sectors, in order to enhance and strengthen its activities and its foundation.

Under the COVID-19 pandemic, AIRO will start its activities to contribute to the field of transportation and tourism in Southeast and South Asia with the help of all stakeholders. We will make a concerted effort and would appreciate your warm support and cooperation.