KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's six-day visit to Japan includes the objective of enhancing the Look East Policy.
The Foreign Ministry said today the six-day visit would include Ismail Sabri meeting his counterpart Fumio Kishida where the two leaders will also exchange views on the importance of international order and regional stability.
"It will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since they assumed office last year.
"The meeting will provide an opportunity for both leaders to discuss initiatives to further strengthen Malaysia-Japan long-standing relations and multifaceted collaboration.
"High on the agenda includes the Look East Policy's 40th Anniversary commemoration, reestablishing people-to-people connection, and post Covid-19 cooperation," it said in a statement.
The statement also said the prime minister will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, Senior International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
Also in the entourage will be the Prime Minister's Special Envoy to East Asia Datuk Seri Dr Richard Riot, Deputy Rural Development Minister I Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad and other senior government officials.
Wisma Putra said Malaysia and Japan will conclude a memorandum of cooperation in three areas involving the aircraft industry, skilled workers, as well as in youth and sports.
Ismail Sabri is also expected to host engagement sessions with the business community and a Keluarga Malaysia Hari Raya celebration in Japan.
The prime minister will also be delivering a keynote address on the theme "Redefining Asia's role in a divided world" at Nikkei Inc's 27th International Conference on "The Future of Asia".
The event is an annual gathering of political and economic and industry leaders from the Asia Pacific region.
The ministry said Ismail Sabri's presence at the conference will allow Malaysia to present its ideas and engage in initiatives aimed at greater economic cooperation between countries in the region.
"The visit reflects the importance of Malaysia-Japan relations as both countries commemorate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy this year.
"Last year, Japan was Malaysia's fourth-largest trading partner with trade valued at US$36 billion (RM149 billion).
"As of 2021, Japan is Malaysia's third-largest foreign investor in the manufacturing sector for implemented projects valued at US$27.6 billion (RM90.9 billion)," it said.
