Japan, Malaysia relations to hit new heights in 2024
21 Feb 2024
Japan-Malaysia relations have expanded beyond traditional areas and Tokyo is hopeful that cooperation will continue upwards in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships inked by the two countries last year.
Japan’s ambassador, Katsuhiko Takahashi, points to the visit by, Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, to Malaysia followed by Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Japan the following month.
“The highlight of Datuk Seri Anwar’s visit to Japan was the upgrading of the Japan-Malaysia relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Other outcomes include signing of the Exchange of Notes for the Official Security Assistance and the launch of the Strategic Dialogue.
“Our two countries also signed cooperation documents in the fields of communication and space.
“This is an indication that our cooperation is expanding beyond traditional areas,” he said last night at a reception hosted by the Embassy of Japan.
On space cooperation, Takahashi was referring to an exchange of memorandum of cooperation on Space Development and Application between the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) signed last December.
Saying that Japan-Malaysia’s burgeoning relations, has been remarkable, he is pleased that apart from mutual visits at the leader’s level, there have been a number of other high level visits to both public and private sectors, such as ministers, prefectural governors, as well as a business mission led by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“This is another aspect to symbolize the expansion of Japan-Malaysia cooperation,” he said at the reception held in conjunction with Emperor Naruhito’s birthday on 23rd February.
It was attended by well over 500 guests, officials, diplomatic representatives and dignitaries, including Tengku Ampuan Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Islandariah; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Finance Minister II, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
Showing his confidence that the Japan-Malaysia relationship will only get stronger, Takahashi vowed to enhance the cordial relations to an even higher level to measure up to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership gained last year would be tangible results.
The Ambassador elaborated on the progress in education, tourism and investment areas seen as top of his priorities.
“This year, we are expecting the opening of a branch campus of the University of Tsukuba in Malaysia. This is a major milestone in our educational cooperation, and we will make every effort to ensure its smooth start.
“We will also continue to promote the attractiveness of Japan to the Malaysian people. On the cultural front, we want to see more Malaysians be interested in Japanese culture and actually visit Japan,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the economic front, he urged higher investment not only from Japan to Malaysia, but also from Malaysia to Japan.
“Actually, Japan is an excellent investment destination. The market size is large and Japan has the world’s best human resource base and competitiveness in R&D.
“Some Malaysians are already investing in Japan, but we want to encourage more,” he said.
Supporting his efforts include 23 Japanese companies which took part in the reception – Ajinomoto, Yakult, Panasonic, Sony, Toyota, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan National Tourism Organization, KIRIN, Canon, University of Tsukuba, Chitose Agri Laboratory, SenSenSushi, Shiratoya, Shizuoka Prefecture, TMI Trading, Tong Woh Enterprise, Choya, Gekkeikan, Gifu Prefecture, Glico, Hisamitsu, Hokto and AWA Sake Association.
Source: NST
