TOKYO: Malaysia and Japan have upgraded their relationship to a “strategic comprehensive partnership,” as stated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in a joint statement yesterday. The announcement was made prior to the signing and exchange of notes of the official Security Assistance Grant Aid by Japan, which will provide monitoring and surveillance equipment to Malaysia.
Furthermore, the two leaders also observed the exchange of a memorandum of cooperation on Space Development and Application between the Malaysian Space Agency (MySA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa). Prior to the official announcement and signing ceremony, Anwar and Kishida engaged in a brief bilateral meeting.
Anwar expressed Malaysia’s gratitude for Japan’s commitment to South-East Asia, including Malaysia, since the 1980s, which has contributed to the region’s growth. He also commended Malaysia-Japan relations and the extensive cooperation demonstrated by Japan in trade and investment in the region. Additionally, he acknowledged Japan’s significant role in Malaysia’s growth through private-sector investments since the 1980s.
Kishida, on the other hand, thanked Malaysia for the warm reception during his recent visit to Malaysia and highlighted its crucial role in shaping Asean into what it is today. He also expressed a desire to see greater engagement of Japan with the grouping. At the official signing of the Security Assistance Grant Aid, Malaysia was represented by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Japan by its Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikaway.
In the second memorandum on cooperation in the space domain, Malaysia was represented by MySA director-general Azlikamil Napiah and Jaxa by its president Hiroshi Yamakawa.
