HSBC Strengthens Thailand–Japan Trade and Investment Corridor as Japanese FDI Reaches THB 3.45 Trillion
HSBC is reaffirming its commitment to supporting trade and investment along the Thailand–Japan economic corridor, as the CEO and Managing Director of Commercial Banking, HSBC Group Japan, visits Thailand to meet with corporate clients and discuss how the bank can further support Japanese and Thai businesses expanding across both markets.
The visit comes ahead of the 140th anniversary of Thailand–Japan diplomatic relations in 2027, highlighting the longstanding economic and commercial ties between the two countries.
Japan remains Thailand’s largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI), with cumulative Japanese investment in Thailand reaching THB 3.45 trillion (US$104 billion) as of 2025, accounting for more than one-quarter of Thailand’s total FDI stock. Japanese investment momentum has remained strong, with an additional THB 39.9 billion (US$1.2 billion) in Japanese FDI recorded in Thailand in 2025, alongside a further THB 36.7 billion (US$1.1 billion) in planned investment as of June 2026. The figures underscore continued confidence in Thailand as a strategic hub for Japanese companies expanding across ASEAN and into global markets.
Thailand–Japan economic cooperation is not only growing in terms of investment volumes, but is also expanding into higher-value and innovation-driven industries. The two countries are becoming increasingly interconnected across value chains, with growing collaboration in sectors including electric vehicles, technology, electronics, advanced appliances and financial services.
Growing bilateral trade further demonstrates the importance and continued development of the Thailand–Japan trade corridor. Since 1998, total bilateral trade has more than tripled to THB 1.88 trillion (US$56.2 billion). In 2025, Japan was Thailand’s third-largest export market, with exports valued at THB 788 billion (US$23.6 billion). Japan was also Thailand’s second-largest source of imports, with imports valued at THB 992 billion (US$29.7 billion).
Takeo Kaneko, CEO and Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC Group Japan, said: “Our visit to Thailand is part of HSBC Group Japan’s broader ASEAN regional tour, covering Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The trip provides an opportunity to meet with clients and partners and gain a deeper understanding of developments on the ground in these four markets, which are becoming increasingly important to Japan’s trade and investment network across ASEAN.
“We are seeing Japanese businesses expand their trade and investment across these four markets in a number of areas, including building more resilient supply chains, investing in manufacturing and infrastructure, expanding customer services, and accelerating digitalisation and the energy transition. As a result, economic connectivity is growing not only in scale, but also in strategic importance to the region.
“HSBC’s role is to help clients leverage our global network to achieve their business ambitions. We combine our strong local presence and regional network across ASEAN with deep expertise in Japan, supporting clients across trade and supply chains, payments and liquidity management, financing, foreign exchange and risk management, as well as international investment.”
Giorgio Gamba, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC Thailand, said: “The Thailand–Japan trade and investment corridor has been built on decades of sustained investment and cooperation between the two countries and remains one of Asia’s most important drivers of cross-border growth. HSBC is committed to helping clients capture opportunities across this corridor more effectively, particularly as trade and investment increasingly shift towards higher-value and innovation-driven activities.
“More than 6,000 Japanese companies currently operate in Thailand, reflecting the depth and longevity of the two countries’ commercial and investment relationship. These companies play an important role in strengthening Thailand’s position as a regional manufacturing and export hub. The Thailand–Japan trade and investment corridor also remains an important destination for Japanese companies planning their growth across ASEAN and global markets.
“What we are seeing clearly today is that expansion strategies across this corridor are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Regional supply chains are evolving, production models are changing in response to technology and sustainability considerations, and companies are increasingly seeking partners that can support their expansion and growth across multiple markets rather than in a single country.
“These changing needs are where HSBC can bring the strength of its global network and expertise to support clients’ growth in practical and meaningful ways.
“As Thai, Japanese and multinational companies continue to expand across this trade and investment corridor, demand is also growing for partners that can connect business opportunities with capital, capabilities and cross-border collaboration. As the world’s largest international trade bank, supporting trade equivalent to more than 86% of global trade value, and with a global network backed by more than 135 years of experience and deep expertise in both markets, HSBC is well positioned to help businesses invest with confidence, manage risk and capture growth opportunities across one of Asia’s strategically important trade and investment corridors.”
