PUTRAJAYA, May 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake a three-day working visit to Japan from May 22 to 24, during which he will participate in the 29th International Conference on the Future of Asia (Nikkei Conference).
According to Wisma Putra, the Prime Minister will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz; and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.
Hosted by Nikkei Inc annually since 1995, the Nikkei Conference gathers government and business leaders to share their visions for the future of Asia. It is considered among the most important global conferences in Asia.
It will be Anwar’s first time participating in the Nikkei Conference. He is set to deliver a keynote address on the theme “Asian Leadership in an Uncertain World”.
Other Asian leaders scheduled to speak at the event are newly appointed Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong; Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith; and former Indonesian ambassador to the United States Dino Patti Djalal.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida to discuss initiatives to strengthen Malaysia-Japan relations and collaboration, following the elevation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in December 2023.
Among the areas to be discussed are issues pertaining to high technology, energy transition and environmental cooperation, defence and security, as well as collaboration in higher education.
Both leaders will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Recognising Japan’s role as one of Malaysia’s main sources of foreign direct investment and the potential for further growth in the economic sphere, Anwar will also attend an interactive session with several captains of industry.
As of 2023, 2,810 projects by Japanese companies have been undertaken in Malaysia, with total investments worth RM102.11 billion and with 344,120 jobs created.
Japan has been Malaysia’s fourth-largest trading partner for nine consecutive years.
In 2023, total trade between Malaysia and Japan was valued at RM156.64 billion.
— Bernama
