Putrajaya: Malaysia-Japan relations have been characterized by a strategic partnership grounded in trust and mutual respect since 1957, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. The ties have been further solidified through recent discussions aimed at enhancing educational cooperation between the two nations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zambry recently hosted a courtesy call from Noriyuki Shikata, the Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, at his office in Putrajaya. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in higher education. Zambry shared insights from the meeting in a Facebook post, emphasizing the exploration of opportunities to expand student and academic mobility between institutions in Malaysia and Japan. Discussions also addressed the welfare of students from both countries, touching on scholarships and career prospects after graduation.

Zambry highlighted key milestones in education cooperation, including the establishment of University of Tsukuba Malaysia, marking it as the first overseas branch campus by a Japanese university. This development reflects the increasing depth of academic collaboration and the strengthening of the Malaysia-Japan Linkage Office at the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

The meeting also served as a precursor to Zambry’s official visit to Tokyo at the end of July, where he is scheduled to meet his Japanese counterpart. This visit underscores the shared commitment of both nations to enhance cooperation in knowledge and innovation, aiming to build a more competitive and forward-looking future.