KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to make his first appearance since assuming the role of the country's prime minister at the 29th International Conference on the Future of Asia (Nikkei Conference) during his three-day working visit to Japan starting tomorrow.
Wisma Putra, in a statement today, said Anwar is also expected to deliver a keynote address on the theme "Asian Leadership in an Uncertain World".
The Nikkei Conference is an annual international gathering where political, economic and academic leaders from the Asia-Pacific region offer their opinions freely and frankly on regional issues and discuss the role of Asia in the world.
Anwar, the statement said, is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
"The meeting will provide an opportunity for both sides to take stock and discuss initiatives to further strengthen Malaysia-Japan relations and multifaceted collaboration, following the elevation of bilateral relations to "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" in December 2023.
"High technology, energy transition and environmental cooperation, defence and security as well as collaboration in higher education, are among the items which both leaders are expected to discuss.
"They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest."
Anwar would be accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.
Anwar is also scheduled to have a speaking engagement at Keio University.
"Recognising Japan's role as one of Malaysia's main sources of foreign direct investment and the potential of further growth in the economic sphere, the Prime Minister will also have an interactive session with several captains of industry."
As of last year, a total of 2,810 projects by Japanese companies have been implemented in Malaysia, with total investments worth RM102.11 billion (USD29.67 billion), creating 344,120 job opportunities.
Japan has also been Malaysia's fourth largest trading partner for nine consecutive years. In 2023, total trade between Malaysia and Japan was valued at RM156.64 billion (USD34.39 billion).