Japan-Malaysia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Working Lunch (Overview)

On Thursday, October 13, during his visit to Malaysia, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Koichiro Gemba held a meeting and a working lunch with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Datuk Anifah bin Aman for approximately three hours and twenty minutes beginning around 10:30 AM (local time). The following is an overview of the meeting and the working lunch. 

1. Bilateral relations
   
   (1) The two Foreign Ministers confirmed their continued cooperation to further strengthen bilateral relations between Japan and Malaysia, based on the long-standing strong ties fostered through the Look East Policy, trade and investment. Especially, the Ministers welcomed the opening of the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) and confirmed their commitment to making the best use of the momentum of next year’s 30th anniversary of the Look East Policy, which is the symbol of friendship between the two countries, and to implement various events. Furthermore, Minister Gemba remarked that, after exchanging views with former Malaysian students in Japan under the Look East Policy the evening before (Wednesday evening, October 12), he acknowledged that they are the “treasures” for both countries in sustaining the friendly relationship.
   
   (2) Minister Gemba also expressed his appreciation for the various support provided by Malaysia in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and reported that Japan is making steady progress towards recovery. In response, Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman said that all Malaysian people were deeply saddened and concerned by the pain and suffering of the Japanese people affected by the disaster, and that Malaysia would support the recovery and reconstruction efforts by the Government of Japan.
   
   (3) Regarding economic relations, Minister Gemba stated that the Japanese government would like to support Malaysia’s economic development in the field of infrastructure development, such as Smart Community, ETC, water supply and sewage, railroad, power generation and broadband, as well as cooperate in the field of renewable energy, and further strengthen the economic relationship of both countries. In response, Minister Datuk Anifah Aman expressed that the Government of Malaysia welcomes greater Japanese investment, citing specific projects in which Japanese companies are participating.
   
   
2. Regional and global issues
   
   (1) The two Foreign Ministers welcomed ongoing cooperation between the two countries such as in the Palestinian Support Program and Japan’s support to the Malaysian Peacekeeping Training Centre, and confirmed that they would continue to exchange information on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement.
   
   (2) As for the East Asia Summit (EAS), Minister Gemba explained his view on the importance of deepening discussions and promoting cooperation among Japan and other countries in the region, including ASEAN member countries, regarding the ocean as a public good.