Press Releases
Japan-Malaysia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
May 25, 2022
On May 25, commencing at 11:15 a.m., for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a Japan-Malaysia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with H.E. Dato’ Sri Saifuddin bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia. The overview is as follows.
- Opening Remarks
Minister Hayashi noted that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations and the 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy, and expressed his intention to enhance cooperation in the priority areas of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) as well as those in the Sulu-Celebes Seas toward achieving a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). In response, Minister Saifuddin stated that he placed great importance on the relationship with Japan and expressed his intention to further promote the bilateral relations while taking the opportunity of this milestone year. - Bilateral Relations
- (1) Minister Hayashi stated that the Look East Policy is the cornerstone of the development of Malaysia and the candid relations between the two countries. Both ministers concurred to work together towards a new development of the Look East Policy, taking into consideration the demands of the times and Malaysia’s priority policies including the area of digital economy. In addition, Minister Hayashi requested cooperation for an early opening of a branch campus of the University of Tsukuba. In response, Minister Saifuddin pointed out the importance of earliest opening of the branch campus and expressed his intention to cooperate in this front.
- (2) Both ministers confirmed the importance of the bilateral cooperation, such as the third country training on maritime safety, as well as enhancement of security cooperation.
- Regional Situations and Cooperation in the International Arena
- (1) Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Minister Hayashi stated that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine represented a grave challenge to the rule of law, and that violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity must not be tolerated. The two ministers then confirmed that unilateral change of the status quo by force is unacceptable in any region, and concurred that the two countries would coordinate to deal with the impacts on the world economy, alongside condemning the aggression.
- (2) Minister Hayashi expressed his strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas as well as economic coercion. On top of that, the two Ministers confirmed that they would work together in order to maintain maritime peace, stability and prosperity.
- (3) Both ministers confirmed that they would continue to collaborate in response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities such as ballistic missile launches including the ones today as well as the abductions issue.
- (4) Both ministers concurred to coordinate in response to regional and global challenges, such as the situation in Myanmar, IPEF and the United Nations reform including the Security Council reform.