PM Ismail: Malaysia, Japan agree to more comprehensive ties, continue with Look East Policy

• Published date: 28 May 2022
• Publication title: Malay Mail Online

Malaysia and Japan have agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a more comprehensive level while continuing with the Look East Policy (LEP) by establishing new areas of cooperation such as energy, smart city, environment and climate change.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Friday had proposed that the Malaysia-Japan ties be upgraded to 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and stated Malaysia's readiness to continue with the Look East Policy which was well-received by Kishida.

Ismail Sabri said he and Kishida agreed to discuss further to coordinate in terms of upgrading ties.

'Malaysia and Japan will draft out clearer outline on the closer relations,' he said in a media conference in Toyo at the end of his successful official working visit to Japan.

Malaysia and Japan upgraded their relations from Enhanced Partnership to Strategic Partnership in 2015.

According to Ismail Sabri, Kishida had visited Malaysia in 2015 as Foreign Minister and that year the status of Malaysia-Japan ties was raised from 'Enhanced Partnership' to 'Strategic Partnership.' In the meeting held at Kantei or the Japanese Prime Minister's Office on Friday, Ismail Sabri held bilateral discussions with Kishida to strengthen the long-established Malaysia-Japan ties and it was the first meeting between the two leaders.

Ismail Sabri and Kishida had made contact via telephone on December 2 2021 and on April 20 to discuss enhancing Malaysia-Japan relations as well as on regional and international issues in which Japan and Malaysia have common interests.

It was also the first time Kishida played host to the Malaysian Prime Minister since taking up the post as the Prime Minister of Japan in October last year.

This year is also the 65th anniversary of Malaysia-Japan diplomatic relations and also...