[Provisional Translation]
On June 10, commencing at 11:45 a.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with H.E. Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, who was on an Official Working Visit to Japan, followed by a Joint Press Announcement and a luncheon. In addition, the two leaders issued a Japan-Malaysia Joint Statement following the summit meeting.
1. Introduction
Prime Minister TAKAICHI welcomed the visit of Prime Minister Anwar and stated that bilateral relations have been progressing in a wide range of areas under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In response, Prime Minister Anwar expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended by Prime Minister TAKAICHI and stated that, taking this summit meeting as an opportunity, he would like to further strengthen bilateral relations.
2. Bilateral Relations
(1) The two leaders, with a view to the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Malaysia diplomatic relations in 2027, concurred on updating bilateral relations into a mutually enriching partnership in which both countries leverage each other's knowledge and expertise, in order to deepen the bonds cultivated through Malaysia's "Look East Policy."
(2) The two leaders shared the recognition that, amid an increasingly severe regional situation, the importance of cooperation in the field of maritime security is growing, and concurred on continuing joint exercises between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Royal Malaysian Navy, as well as capacity-building assistance through Japan’s OSA (Official Security Assistance) program.
(3) The two leaders also welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the coast guard authorities of both countries, as the two countries, which share sea lanes, seek to further promote cooperation in the field of maritime safety and security.
(4) The two leaders welcomed the deepening of economic and trade relations between the two countries and concurred on further promoting public-private cooperation based on each other's growth strategies.
(5) Prime Minister TAKAICHI, in light of the recent energy situation, conveyed Japan's gratitude for the stable supply of LNG, petroleum and chemical products such as medical gloves, and fertilizer raw materials from Malaysia, a trusted partner, and requested continued stable supply, to which Prime Minister Anwar responded with Malaysia’s utmost commitment, also referring to the conclusion of a new LNG purchase contract between JERA and Petronas. Furthermore, the two leaders concurred on realizing the strengthening of supply chain resilience for energy and critical goods under "POWERR Asia," and confirmed that they would advance further cooperation between the two countries on critical minerals by, coordinating with like-minded countries and Multilateral Development Banks. Prime Minister TAKAICHI also noted the importance of advancing concrete initiatives in the field of decarbonization while making use of the framework of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) under the current circumstances.
(6) In this regard, the two leaders welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent on energy security and energy transition, including from the perspective of energy resilience. They also expressed their expectation for the early signing of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). In response, Prime Minister Anwar stated that initiatives in this field are important and that Malaysia would like to continue cooperating with Japan.
(7) The two leaders also concurred on establishing the "Japan-Malaysia AI Platform" to promote cooperation that contributes to enhancing AI capabilities, and furthermore, as financial cooperation, confirmed that they would enhance the bilateral currency swap arrangement and strengthen the use of local currencies in settlements.
(8) The two leaders reaffirmed that the foundation supporting such bilateral cooperation is people-to-people exchanges, and concurred on making use of various programs to address global challenges and achieve sustainable economic growth. The two leaders further confirmed their intention to coordinate closely in addressing transnational crimes.
3. Regional and International Issues
(1) Prime Minister TAKAICHI stated that, amid an increasingly severe international situation, it is important for the two countries to enhance their resilience and promote their freedom to decide for themselves under an updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), and expressed her desire to work together with Malaysia to make the region stronger and more prosperous. In response, Prime Minister Anwar stated that he would like to further strengthen the cooperative relationship between the two countries.
(2) The two leaders shared concerns on the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. The two leaders further exchanged their views on the situation in Myanmar.
(3) The two leaders also exchanged views on their policies toward North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, and confirmed that they would continue to coordinate closely.
(4) The two leaders also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East. Regarding the situation surrounding Iran, the two leaders confirmed the importance of ensuring free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, concurred on continuing to make every possible diplomatic effort toward de-escalation of the situation in coordination with the international community, and confirmed that they would coordinate closely in providing assistance for the Palestinian people, including those in Gaza.
4. Documents signed on the occasion of Prime Minister Anwar’s visit to Japan
- Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan and the Government of Malaysia in the Field of Maritime Safety and Security
- Letter of Intent between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Government of Malaysia on Co-operation in the Field of Energy Security and Energy Transition
- Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the Government of Malaysia on Cooperation in the Field of Environment and Sustainability
- Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the Government of Malaysia in the Field of Solid Waste Management
- Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan and the Medical Device Authority of Malaysia on Medical Device Regulatory Cooperation Framework