Japan-Malaysia Relations

October 22, 2019
(Photo1: Cabinet Public Relations Office) (Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo2: Cabinet Public Relations Office) (Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)

On October 22, commencing at 4:00 p.m. for approximately 10 minutes, Mr. Shinzo ABE, Prime Minister of Japan, held a meeting with His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia XVI, who is visiting Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows. The meeting was attended on the Japanese side by Mr. NISHIMURA Akihiro, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Mr. HASEGAWA Eiichi, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Public Relations Secretary, and others, and on the Malaysian side by H.E. Dato’ Kennedy Jawan, Ambassador of Malaysia to Japan, YBhg. Dato’ Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara, and others.

1. Opening remarks

Prime Minister Abe welcomed H.M. Al-Sultan Abdullah’s visit to Japan and stated, “The long friendship between Japan’s Imperial Family and Malaysia’s Royal Family is an invaluable bond connecting our two peoples. I expect that this visit by His Majesty will lead to further strengthening the solidarity between the people of Japan and Malaysia.”

In response, H.M. Al-Sultan Abdullah expressed his congratulations on the enthronement of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Japan, and his condolences for those affected by Typhoon Hagibis.

2. Bilateral relations

Prime Minister Abe stated, “The strong bond between Japan and Malaysia has been formed on the basis of frequent reciprocal visits by our dignitaries, people-to-people exchanges including the Look East Policy, and close economic relations.” “Prime Minister Mahathir and I have held discussions on further deepening the bilateral cooperation, including establishing a branch campus of a Japanese university in Malaysia and expanding human resources development, and we have made tangible progress. In particular, I expect that the young generation will play an active role as a bridge between the two countries.”

In response, H.M. Al-Sultan Abdullah expressed his appreciation for the bilateral cooperation provided by Japan for many years, and also expressed his pleasure with the progress of several concrete projects between Prime Minister Abe and Prime Minister Mahathir. In addition, H.M. Al-Sultan Abdullah celebrated the efforts and achievements of the Japanese team at the Rugby World Cup and appreciated Japan in advance for hosting the Malaysian Olympians for the 2020 Olympic Games.


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