Asia Undercurrent 29: Collaborating to Strengthen the Indo-Pacific Through Innovation

Why It Matters

Coordinated Indo‑Pacific innovation safeguards critical supply chains, fuels growth, and reinforces democratic resilience amid rising geopolitical competition.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic autonomy demands diversified, collaborative innovation across Indo‑Pacific economies.
• Triple‑helix model (government, industry, academia) drives regional tech partnerships.
• Japan’s semiconductor push, via Rapidus and TSMC, underpins supply‑chain resilience.
• De‑globalization myths give way to re‑globalization and recoupling trends.
• De‑risking efforts focus on rare‑earths, pharmaceuticals, and AI talent pools.

Summary

The Asia Undercurrent webinar examined how Indo‑Pacific democracies can bolster resilience by pooling innovation resources. Hosted by Professor Marie Ancherdogi, the session featured health‑tech entrepreneur Dr. Madiha Fuad, Japan‑focused economist Takashi Imamura, and economist Dr. Manish Sharma, each outlining pathways for cross‑border collaboration in high‑tech sectors.

Panelists emphasized that strategic autonomy no longer means isolation; instead, it requires diversified partnerships anchored in the triple‑helix model of government, industry and academia. Imamura highlighted Japan’s new industrial policy—17 strategic sectors with AI and semiconductors at the forefront—and cited rapidus and TSMC’s entry into Kumamoto as concrete steps toward a secure supply chain. Sharma countered de‑globalization narratives, describing a shift toward “re‑globalization” and “recoupling” as nations diversify away from single‑source dependencies, especially in rare‑earths and pharmaceutical APIs.

Key remarks underscored the urgency: Fuad called collaboration the “acceleration engine” needed to turn diverse regional strengths into collective breakthroughs. Imamura warned that without coordinated investment in talent and infrastructure, middle powers risk being sidelined by major powers wielding technology as a geopolitical weapon. Sharma noted that de‑risking is already reshaping capital flows, with governments pouring funds into alternative mineral sources and AI talent pipelines.

The discussion signals that businesses and policymakers must pivot from export‑centric models to intra‑regional demand, leveraging shared R&D, joint standards, and cross‑border venture ecosystems. Failure to act could deepen supply‑chain fragilities, while coordinated innovation promises economic security and a stronger democratic foothold in a contested multipolar order.

Original Description

Innovation—be it through R&D incentives, multilateral cooperation, or strategic investment—has become all the more important for nations like Japan and likeminded countries in the Indo-Pacific to future-proof their growth industries. But despite ongoing initiatives towards economic independence across the region, partnerships remain vitally important for sustainable and resilient development in an increasingly turbulent geopolitical environment. Join us for a discussion about the future of innovation in Asia moderated by Prof. Marie Anchordoguy and featuring Dr. Madiha Fuad, Mr. Takashi Imamura, and Dr. Manish Sharma.