Visit to Japan by Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia
(Overview)

December 2002

Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad visited Japan from December 12 to 17. The following is an overview of the visit.

1. Itinerary (official programme only)

2. Overview

(1) Summit Meeting

(a) Bilateral relations

(i) The two leaders confirmed that the Look East Policy, which marks its twentieth anniversary in 2002, is the foundation of the good relations between Japan and Malaysia and that they would continue to cooperate closely and implement the policy.

(ii) Regarding the idea of establishing the Japan Technical University, the two leaders shared the view to make thorough preparations and launch a sound institute so that it will be long-lasting.

(iii) Regarding economic partnership, Prime Minister Mahathir explained that his government was preparing a document that would constitute a basis for discussion on economic partnership between the two countries. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi said that Malaysia played a central role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and that Japan would like to promote consultations with sufficient coordination.

(iv) Regarding economic cooperation, Prime Minister Mahathir expressed appreciation for Japan's various financial assistance. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi officially announced Japan's intention to provide a special yen loan for the Pahang-Selangor Raw Water Tranfer Project, which had been requested by Malaysia, and also explained that Japan would continue its assistance while giving consideration to conditions of the recipient countries, the impact on residents and the environment, and other factors.

(b) International situation

The two leaders exchanged views on Iraq, terrorism, and other issues. Prime Minister Mahathir said that if there were military action against Iraq, some Muslim might feel sympathy toward terrorism, which might lead to a possible increase in the threat of terrorism. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that sufficient coordination with the international community was necessary for efforts on this issue and that it was important to abide by international law.

(2) Seminar for the 20th Anniversary of the Look East Policy in Japan

(i) After the opening remarks by Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Eisuke Hinode, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda delivered a remarks in which he said that in light of the changes in the international situation over the last 20 years, Japan and Malaysia should develop their relations on the basis of two-way cooperation.

(ii) Prime Minister Mahathir delivered the keynote address, in which he mentioned the following points;

• The people of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, took Japan as a model long before the beginning of the Look East Policy. Japan achieved economic development by its own methods, not by the methods of the West.
• But in an increasingly globalized economy, and under the severe economic situation both Japan and the international community are facing, the countries of Southeast Asia continue to have great expectations of Japan, and Japan itself should take a leadership role.

(iii) In the question-and-answer session that followed, Prime Minister Mahathir took questions from the floor and gave his opinions on a wide range of topics, such as China and Iraq.