Aisin Corporation

The Board of Investment (BOI) has revealed that Japan remains a key investment partner for Thailand. In 2025, Japanese investors applied for investment promotion for 302 projects with a total value exceeding 113.7 billion baht, more than doubling from the previous year. In the first half of 2026, there were 123 projects worth 32.79 billion baht, reflecting that Thailand remains an important investment base for Japan, particularly for investments aimed at upgrading technology and increasing production efficiency to support the transition of global industries. BOI Secretary-General Narit Therdsteerasukdi stated that Japanese investment is entering a new cycle, building on existing production bases to develop high-value products. For instance, Isuzu is investing over 15 billion baht to upgrade its pickup truck production base, Mazda is investing 7.4 billion baht to produce new hybrid models, Mitsubishi has announced an additional investment of 16 billion baht by 2030, and Honda plans to invest 12 billion baht by 2029 to produce two new car models. This makes Thailand the only country outside Japan to produce a total of eight car models. Meanwhile, the automotive supply chain is shifting towards EV and hybrid components, such as Astemo investing 3.5 billion baht to produce PCU inverters and Aisin investing in hybrid transmission systems. The electronics sector is also expanding into advanced components, with Murata producing MLCCs and Panasonic producing upstream materials for circuit boards. The new factory will be the first production base for MEGTRON materials in ASEAN to support AI. Additionally, there are investments in aviation and agri-food, such as NMB-Minebea investing over 2.6 billion baht to open an aircraft parts factory in Lopburi, and Toyo Saikan investing 2.47 billion baht to produce plant-based beverages. A survey by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce (JCC) indicates that 23% of Japanese companies plan to increase their investment in Thailand in 2026, while 48% will maintain their current investment levels. The BOI also supports the establishment of regional offices in Thailand, with over 40% currently coming from Japan.

The global micro combined heat and power industry is projected to reach USD 5.77 billion by 2031, up from USD 3.69 billion in 2026, at a compound annual growth rate of 9.3 percent. The fuel cell segment, by prime mover, is expected to be the fastest-growing during the forecast period of 2026–2031, driven by demand for highly efficient, low-emission distributed energy solutions. Asia Pacific is set to maintain the largest regional share, led by strong adoption in Japan and growing energy demand in China and South Korea. Key players include Viessmann, YANMAR HOLDINGS, Bosch Industriekessel, BDR Thermea Group, and AISIN CORPORATION.