Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and Japan have agreed to strengthen cooperation in energy, strategic industries, and supply chain resilience during talks between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar, who also serves as Malaysia's Finance Minister, highlighted that the discussions covered a wide range of issues, including defence and maritime security, strategic industries, energy transition, financial cooperation, and human capital development, as well as regional and international concerns.
On the energy front, Malaysia and Japan have concluded a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales and purchase agreement between Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Japan's JERA Co Inc. This agreement is set to supply two million tonnes per annum over a 20-year period starting in 2028. Anwar praised this achievement as a testament to the trust and collaboration between the two friendly nations during a joint press conference after the bilateral meeting, which marked his first official visit to Japan since taking office.
In terms of defence and maritime security, Anwar emphasized Malaysia's commitment as a maritime nation to enhance cooperation with Japan under the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework. Efforts will continue this year to finalize a Memorandum of Cooperation on maritime safety and security, which Malaysia intends to support.
Anwar also mentioned that both nations discussed cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital technologies, critical minerals, and resilient supply chains. Malaysia is actively following Japan's POWERR Asia (Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia) initiative under Takaichi's leadership.
Regarding financial cooperation, the two countries have expanded their bilateral currency swap arrangement to facilitate transactions in ringgit and yen. Anwar noted that Malaysia and Japan agreed to extend four Memoranda of Cooperation covering maritime safety and security, environment and sustainability, solid waste management, and medical device regulatory frameworks.
Lastly, the two countries also agreed on two Letters of Intent focusing on energy security and transition, as well as academic exchanges between the University of Tokyo and the International Islamic University Malaysia.