TOKYO: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida today announced that Malaysia and Japan's ties have been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnerships.
This was announced via a joint statement before both leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of notes of the official Security Assistance Grant Aid by Japan, which would provide monitoring and surveillance equipment for Malaysia.
Anwar, who is on a five-day work visit in Tokyo for the Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit, said Malaysia recognises Japan's pivotal role in the development of the Asean region, with consistent progress seen over the last few decades.
Anwar said that Japan has proven to be an important partner not just for Malaysia but for the entire Asean region.
"You have come to visit (Malaysia) a number of times. I value your friendship and I am impressed by your commitment, not only to Malaysia but to the (Asean) region too," he told his Japanese counterpart.
"Japan has been a longstanding friend...very important in terms of collaboration and in a number of issues (such as diplomatic). But more so in trade and investment.
"We recognise the important role that Japan has played as a partner."
Anwar also made a reference to Kishida's most recent visit to Malaysia where the latter had sampled durian in a tea session, calling it "durian diplomacy".
"As a rejoinder, your durian diplomacy went viral around the region."
Following the meeting, both Anwar and Kishida witnessed the signing and exchange of notes of the Official Security Assistance Grant Aid and the Exchange of Memorandum of Cooperation on Space Development and Application between the Malaysian Space Agency (MSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Both signings were performed by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan on behalf of the Malaysian government.
Anwar will also be meeting top executives of three major Japanese corporations – Rohm Wako, Toshiba and Mitsui & Co – before adjourning to a meeting with captains of industry in Japan later today.
He will join other leaders of the grouping for the Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit on Sunday and the Asia Zero Emission Community Summit that is working to help the regional grouping to set the benchmark in managing emissions.
Malaysia, Anwar said, wants to further enhance economic, investment and trade cooperation with Japan in conjunction with its participation in the Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit.
The Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit starts today, Dec and ends 16 on Dec 18. It is being organised as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Asean-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.