Press Releases
Japan-Malaysia Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
December 2, 2021
On December 2, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk with H.E. Dato’ Saifuddin bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, for approximately 30 minutes from 15:00. The overview of the talk is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed his intention to forge close ties with Minister Saifuddin. In response, Minister Saifuddin conveyed a message of congratulations on Mr. Hayashi’s appointment as Foreign Minister.
- Minister Hayashi expressed his intention to take the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy next year as an opportunity to further develop the bilateral relationship and to promote cooperation in issues such as tackling COVID-19, security, maritime safety, establishment of branch campus of the University of Tsukuba. In response, Minister Saifuddin expressed his appreciation for Japan's various cooperation and stated that he would like to further strengthen bilateral cooperation toward the anniversaries next year.
- The two Ministers concurred on advancing concrete cooperation including in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and their surrounding areas, toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and the “ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific".
- The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional affairs, and Minister Hayashi expressed his strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas. The two Ministers also exchanged views on North Korea including its nuclear and missile activities and Minister Hayashi asked for understanding and cooperation from Minister Saifuddin on the abductions issue.
- Minister Hayashi shared his intention to support ASEAN’s initiatives regarding Myanmar.