KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) — Japan looks to forge a closer relationship with Malaysia in line with a new chapter of the Look East Policy (LEP) based on the current economic and social situation.
Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Katsuhiko Takahashi said while the LEP has made a significant contribution to shaping the Malaysian automotive industry, there is now a need to move into new emerging industries, such as healthcare for the ageing society and disaster prevention, in which Japan has the expertise.
“The LEP started 42 years ago with the sending of students and trainees to Japan to bring back their know-how and expertise from Japan to be implemented in Malaysia for economic development.
“This relationship was created based on the exchange of people and has become a strong foundation for the Japan-Malaysia relationship.
“Now, we are looking at new economic areas for Japan to further collaborate which include cyber security, information technology, resilience of supply chain and energy transition,” he said in an interview.
He elaborated that Japan is also keen to enhance cooperation in artificial intelligence, robotics and green technology, as well as technology that addresses climate change.
According to Takahashi, the policy will also need to move in line with recent developments in the Malaysian economy, which has experienced remarkable growth.
“We can now work as a partner on equal footing in both the public and private sectors,” he said.
He stressed that this is also in line with the elevation of the strong bilateral relations of both countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) that was announced in December last year during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Japan.
The CSP, he noted, covers a wider range of issues that include peace and security cooperation, economic prosperity, science, technology, innovation and environment, society, cultural and people-to-people exchange, as well as regional and global cooperation.
Takahashi described the bilateral relations between Japan and Malaysia as a big river that flows and expands smoothly, premised on 67 years of diplomatic and economic ties that can be developed wider and deeper to benefit both nations.
