Tokyo: The Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) and the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen legal cooperation in the field of arbitration, as per the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU). The signing took place during a high-impact official working visit to Japan by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the MoU formalizes cooperation in commercial arbitration, capacity building, and joint training initiatives between AIAC and JCAA. This collaboration will be reinforced at the ministerial level during the Special Malaysia-Japan Dialogue on Legal Cooperation in August. The dialogue aims to translate outcomes into implementation, aligning with the MADANI Government’s objectives.
Azalina highlighted that Malaysia and Japan view action as key to successful legal cooperation. She emphasized that knowledge sharing within institutions is crucial for creating a regional legal ecosystem that supports the commercial sector and enhances investor confidence, contributing to sustainable regional development.
The visit, coinciding with Malaysia’s upcoming ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, reflects Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening legal institutions that support sustainable development and regional integration. The visit also showcased international confidence in Malaysia’s legal reform agenda, as Azalina presented several initiatives, including drafting the Online Safety Act (2024) and amendments to key legal acts.
BHEUU noted that discussions also focused on the establishment of a Special Mediation Task Force to emphasize mediation as a core dispute resolution method, improving access to justice and providing cost-effective alternatives. Engagements with the Japan International Mediation Center and Doshisha University reinforced this strategic priority.
This mission to Japan builds on ASEAN-Malaysia legal diplomacy efforts, following recent visits to Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Azalina’s bilateral meeting with Japanese Minister of Justice Keisuke Suzuki addressed shared priorities such as legal reform and digitalization of the justice system.
Strengthening ties, Azalina engaged with Japanese legal figures and arbitration experts, marking an important step toward effective implementation of shared commitments, mutual trust, and a future-ready legal framework across the region.