Japan looks to enhance bilateral, maritime security with Malaysia

Japan looks to enhance bilateral, maritime security with Malaysia

SHAH ALAM - Japan is looking forward to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's inaugural trip to the country this week, said Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Katsuhiko Takahashi.

He said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has spoken twice over the phone with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and this will be their first face-to-face meeting.

"We want to take this opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties and expand strategic cooperation and partnership between Japan and Malaysia.

"The strategic partnerships not only involves economic, but also political and security," he told Sinar Daily.

This year marks the 40th Year of Look East Policy and the 65th year of diplomatic relation between both the countries.

Takahashi said he will also be in Japan to receive Ismail Sabri who is on a five day visit.

There are presently about 1,500 Japanese companies in Malaysia that offers 470,000 jobs.

Even during Covid-19, he said Japanese investment to Malaysia remained with RM6.2 billion, and so far to date Japanese companies have invested RM82.7 billion in total.

He said once Malaysia ratifies the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) by third quarter of 2022, it would further facilitate trade and investment liberalisation as it would also lower tariffs.

"We are looking forward too," he said, adding that the, UK, China and Taiwan were also keen to join the trade pact.

Other than economic ties, Malaysians have often enjoyed Japanese culture through animation and its famous Manga animation.

Other than holding an international manga anime competition to woo those keen in Japanese animation to submit their work, Malaysians will soon have a chance to learn Japanese animation and Manga illustration through Nippon designers school to be opened next month.