Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan held a meeting with Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib of Malaysia in Vladivostok, the Russian Federation, on September 9 for about 25 minutes from 10:15 a.m. (local time) on the occasion of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. The following is an overview of the bilateral meeting:

1. Beginning
   At the outset, Prime Minister Noda expressed his condolences on the demise on September 4 of former Malaysian Minister of Law, Mr. Tan Sri Hamzah Abu Samah, uncle of Prime Minister Najib, and said Japan would like to make this year ? the 30th anniversary of Malaysia's adoption of the "Look East Policy" ? an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations. The two leaders shared the recognition that both countries would closely cooperate with each other in addressing issues facing the region and the international community as well as in enhancing bilateral relations.
   
   
2. Bilateral relations
   
   (1) Prime Minister Noda said Japan would like to continue to develop the Look East Policy as a symbol of friendship of both countries. Prime Minister Najib replied that it was a great achievement of the policy that many young Malaysian people could learn not only technology but also work ethics in Japan under the policy. Both leaders confirmed that the two countries would cooperate in developing the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), which can be called the culmination of the Look East Policy, as a centre of excellence of Japanese-style engineering education for ASEAN.
   
   (2) Prime Minister Najib said that investment from Japan had created many jobs in Malaysia and added that his country would welcome further Japanese investment. Prime Minister Noda expressed expectations for progress in specific cooperation for the development of infrastructure in such areas as high-speed railways, smart communities and water business.
   
   
3. Regional cooperation
   
   (1) The two leaders confirmed that Japan and Malaysia would cooperate for the success of ASEAN-related summit meetings in November. On issues surrounding the South China Sea, the two leaders shared the view that these were of concern for the entire international community  and concurred on the importance of observing related international laws, including the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also shared the recognition that the two countries would help strengthen the Japan-ASEAN partnership in the medium- to long-term through events marking the 40th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN exchanges next year.
   
   (2) On the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, Prime Minister Najib reiterated Malaysian support for Japan's participation. Prime Minister Noda expressed gratitude for Malaysia's support in the past, and said Japan expected Malaysia's continued cooperation in this regard.
   
   (3) The two leaders shared the views that the two countries would cooperate with each other in launching the negotiation for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in East Asia in November.