Publications

Dissecting the Rise and Plateau of Digital Payments in India

The recent years have witnessed an unprecedented push towards digitisation and increasing access to both basic technologies and government services in India. A significant portion of this push is geared towards economic and financial inclusion in an effort to remedy India’s high levels of income inequality. Bedavyasa Mohanty provides an overview of India's digital payments landscape and examines which regulatory principles have spurred growth of payments and which ones have hindered it.

Japan’s Innovation Systems at the Crossroads: Society 5.0

Today, policymakers operate in a complex, dynamic and uncertain environment, where governments are increasingly asked to act as facilitators in the face of these constantly changing conditions. Yuko Harayama and René Carraz show the steps that led to the introduction of the Japanese "Society 5.0" and outline its conceptual definition as a foundation for future economic growth.

Digital Transformation and Industry 4.0 in Southeast Asia

The velocity, scale and scope of change enabled by advanced information and communication technologies imply that past models and strategies for social, economic and technological development are becoming increasingly obsolete or ineffective. Raja Mitra names 12 pillars that drive and constrain digital transformation, namely: historical legacy, geography and timing, demand and supply settings in local and external markets, human and social capital, financing, technology and innovation, infrastructure, urban and rural development and institutional and stakeholder eco-systems: government, legal and regulatory-frameworks, the private sector, the Diaspora and the leadership context.

Energy Security in the Digital Age and Its Geopolitical Implications for Asia

New forms of mobility, and new consumption patterns, providers and platforms are changing the energy sector, which is being transformed by the reinforcing strategic trends of the “3 Ds”: decarbonisation, digitalisation and decentralisation. Frank Umbach explores digitalisation in the worldwide energy sector, which is offering new economic and business opportunities, but also poses new risks and vulnerabilities through increasing internet interconnectivity and a vast amount of sensitive data.

ASEAN and the US.Perspectives of Southeast Asia on Relations with the US since Donald Trump

Since the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency, US foreign relations with many countries and regions of the world have significantly altered. Examples of this include the escalating trade conflict with China and the marked departure from the policies of the Obama administration. This is despite the fact that the US under Trump recognizes the importance of Southeast Asia, especially regarding China. How have US relations with ASEAN developed since Trump, and how are US priorities shaping up in times of weakened multilateralism, impending arms races, and escalating tensions in ASEAN and its individual member states? The following is an illustration of the US’ ambivalent role in the region.

Preface

Happy Birthday, Internet! In 2019, we are celebrating the World Wide Web’s 30th anniversary. Growing from ARPANET, a decentralized network created by the Pentagon that was designed to withstand a nuclear attack, to its status as a global platform that connects billions of people and devices, the development of the Internet has long been guided by the United States. It is Asia, however, where the future of the Internet is most likely to be written. We have dedicated this issue of Panorama – Insights into Asian and European Affairs to addressing current developments in the area of digital policies, digital economy, and cyber security in Asia.

Promoting Prosperity and Providing Protection: Australia’s International Cyber Engagement Strategy

Australia's International Cyber Engagement Strategy reflects the role that digital networks increasingly play in the country's international relations, trade and investment, as well as security and strategic concerns. This is partly a response to current developments and partly a consequence of persistent geo-strategic realities, Damien Spry discusses the Strategy, its priorities and progress to date, with an emphasis on cyber security, governance and cooperation, and human rights and democracy online.

Digital Asia

Panorama Insights into Asian and European Affairs

Happy Birthday, Internet! In 2019, we are celebrating the World Wide Web’s 30th anniversary. Growing from ARPANET, a decentralized network created by the Pentagon that was designed to withstand a nuclear attack, to its status as a global platform that connects billions of people and devices, the development of the Internet has long been guided by the United States. US companies developed the first personal computers, smartphones and social networks that we use to communicate as well as the routers and servers that carry the world’s data. It is Asia, however, where the future of the Internet is most likely to be written. Already today, China and India have highest number of internet users in the world. “The next billion users” are mainly Asian. Concurrently, Asian companies are making their way onto list of top technology companies. We have dedicated this issue of Panorama – Insights into Asian and European Affairs to addressing current developments in the area of digital policies, digital economy, and cyber security in Asia. Where does Europa come into play? Read on!

Is Europe’s Future in Asia?

The Asia-Europe Meeting as an Instrument of the Rules-Based Multilateral Order

The world order as we have known it for decades is in turmoil. Countries in Europe and Asia in particular have been profiting from the rules-based multilateral order which provided them with security and allowed them to prosper. Therefore, they are strongly affected by the current volatility. Instead of relying on other powers, countries in both regions should work together and proactively shape the future of multilateralism through the Asia-Europe Meeting.

The 33rd ASEAN Summit - A Review

It is difficult these days to go about one’s daily business in the popular shopping area around Singapore's Suntec City Convention Centre. The cause of the congestion is the second summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2018, together with a number of additional meetings with selected external partners ASEAN traditionally hosts in the margins of this biannual summit. The most important among the additional meetings being held this year is the East Asia Summit (EAS). Incidentally, it was in the same building, Suntec City Convention Centre, where members of the newly formed World Trade Organization came together for the first time in 1996 - just months before the region entered the biggest economic crisis in its history.