Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� January, 2002

Japan - Malaysia Summit Meeting Thursday, January 10, 2002 Click photographs to enlarge This afternoon Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Malaysia, the second country on his tour of Southeast Asian nations, and held a Summit Meeting with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Prime Minister Koizumi explained that Japan intended to build relations with the nations of Southeast Asia in which both sides "act together and advance together" as sincere and open partners, as the basis for Japan's new diplomatic vision for East Asia. Specifically, in order to advance reform and ensure prosperity in both countries, Prime Minister Koizumi proposed assistance to enhance competitiveness through measures such as the promotion of industrial development and the Initiative for Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and in order to ensure regional stability, that regional cooperation on cross-border issues such as terrorism and piracy be enhanced and that continued support for the process of democratization in Myanmar through dialogue be provided. Prime Minister Koizumi also proposed official events to mark the 20th anniversary of the Look East Policy espoused by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and the designation of 2003 as the Year of Japan-ASEAN Exchange. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad expressed his agreement with these proposals and mentioned the need to strengthen the framework of ASEAN+3 (Japan, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea). In addition, a frank exchange of views was held on bilateral relations between Japan and Malaysia as well as the international situation.