[CADDi Manufacturing Survey] Despite Launch of 'Power Asia,' Only 10% of Manufacturers Can Quantitatively Track Southeast Asian Supply Chain Risks

CADDi Inc. (Headquarters: Taito City, Tokyo; CEO: Yusiro Kato; hereinafter "CADDi"), a provider of AI-powered data platforms for the manufacturing industry, conducted a real-world survey targeting 196 manufacturing professionals regarding supply chain issues related to Southeast Asia and the 'Power Asia' initiative. The results revealed that only about 10% of companies can quantitatively grasp and manage supply chain risks in Southeast Asia through data, while approximately 80% of companies are failing to capture these risks using data.

On April 15, 2026, the Japanese government announced "Power Asia (Energy and Resource Supply Resilience Partnership)," a framework totaling approximately ¥1.6 trillion, aimed at strengthening cooperation with Southeast Asian nations amid the Middle East energy crisis. For Japanese manufacturers with production and procurement bases in Southeast Asia, it has become urgent to accurately assess the impact on their supply chains and establish systems capable of rapid response. About two months after the announcement, as the government's framework begins to take shape, CADDi investigated how the manufacturing sector is responding in practice.

Survey Summary

- 79.1% of manufacturing companies either "mostly unaware" or "completely unaware" of Power Asia. Only 2.6% claim to fully understand its content.

- Among companies reporting supply chain impacts via Southeast Asia, about 70% (69.6%) stated they are unable to monitor these impacts with data.

- Only 6.6% of companies reported having "adequate systems in place to respond." Over 80% face challenges in terms of preparedness and strategic direction.

- The most frequently cited challenge is rising energy costs increasing operational expenses at Southeast Asian sites (25.5%), followed by unstable production and operations at these sites (19.9%).

Survey Result ① Nearly 80% of Manufacturers Are Unaware of Power Asia

When asked about awareness of Power Asia, 55.1% responded "mostly unaware," and 24.0% said "completely unaware," totaling 79.1% who essentially lack sufficient understanding of the initiative. Only 2.6% of companies reported fully understanding its content.

Despite the Japanese government launching a ¥1.6 trillion framework, information penetration into the manufacturing sector—the primary stakeholders—remains limited.

Survey Result ② 30% of Manufacturers Already Feel Supply Chain Impacts via Southeast Asia

When asked whether worsening Middle East conditions and energy supply instability are affecting their supply chains via Southeast Asia, 4.1% reported "significant impact," and 24.5% reported "moderate impact," with a combined 28.6% already experiencing some level of disruption.

Survey Result ③ Nearly 70% of Impacted Companies Cannot Monitor Risks with Data

Among companies reporting supply chain impacts via Southeast Asia (n=56), only 16.1% stated they can "quantitatively monitor and manage risks with data." A combined 69.6%—those who "recognize risks but cannot monitor them with data" or "are unsure of the extent"—lack quantitative data-based risk assessment.

The fact that even companies feeling impacts cannot quantitatively assess the scale of damage reveals a structural stagnation where many firms are "aware of problems but unable to act." Despite tangible harms such as rising energy costs and procurement delays, they lack the data necessary for informed decision-making.

Major Impacts and Challenges in Southeast Asian Supply Chains (Multiple Responses, n=196)

- Rising energy costs increasing operational expenses at Southeast Asian sites: 25.5%

- Unstable production and operations at Southeast Asian sites: 19.9%

- Delays in raw material and component procurement from Southeast Asia: 15.3%

- Logistics stagnation and transportation delays within Southeast Asia: 10.7%

- Increased coordination and communication burden with Southeast Asian sites: 7.1%

- Need to consider alternative sourcing (including outside Southeast Asia): 5.6%

Survey Result ④ A Divide Between 10% Who Can Monitor Risks and 90% Who Cannot

Among all respondents, only 9.7% reported being able to "quantitatively monitor and manage supply chain risks in Southeast Asia with data." In contrast, 23.5% acknowledged risks but lack data-based monitoring, 28.1% are aware of risks but unsure of their scale, and 30.1% stated they simply "do not know." Thus, nearly 80% of companies lack quantitative data-driven risk visibility.

Even among companies with "moderately to very high" dependency on Southeast Asia (n=29), 58.6% still lack data-based risk monitoring. Despite higher dependency implying greater business impact, a majority still fail to visualize risks.

The ability to leverage government frameworks like Power Asia directly depends on whether a company knows "where, what, and how much it depends on." Companies with data can make rapid, informed decisions, while those without remain reactive as situations unfold. This data gap could become a critical differentiator in future competitiveness.

Survey Result ⑤ Only 6.6% Feel Fully Prepared—Polarization in Response Capability Is Clear

When asked about their supply chain response capabilities amid emerging geopolitical risk frameworks like Power Asia, only 6.6% of companies reported having "adequate systems in place to respond." 26.5% said they have a direction but lack data and systems, 12.8% believe action is needed but don’t know where to start, and 41.3% responded "don’t know."

Cross-referencing respondents who can monitor risks with data (Q5) and those who feel fully prepared (Q6) reveals a clear trend. Among companies that can quantitatively monitor and manage risks (n=19), 42.1% reported having adequate response systems—the highest rate. In contrast, among companies that recognize risks but lack data-based monitoring (n=46), only 2.2% reported full preparedness, while a majority (56.5%) said they have a direction but lack data and systems.

Analysis

These survey results numerically visualize structural issues long observed on the ground. Having supported manufacturing operations across Asia—including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India—we’ve seen how data-deficient decision-making puts companies at a disadvantage. This survey reaffirms that reality.

Southeast Asian supply chains are not only affected by Middle East tensions and logistics instability but are also experiencing accelerated supplier fluidity due to the rise of Chinese firms. The fact that nearly 70% of companies feeling impacts still cannot monitor them with data indicates that crises remain at the level of "awareness" rather than reaching "management decisions."

On the other hand, with government initiatives like Power Asia now gaining momentum, a major opportunity arises. By combining long-standing manufacturing operational assets in Southeast Asia with the power of data, companies can turn resilience into a strategic advantage in an era of uncertainty.