KUALA LUMPUR: Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya (pic) will arrive in Malaysia on Wednesday for the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM).
He will also attend other related meetings and co-host the Fourth Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (Ceapad IV).
Japanese Ambassador Noriyuki Shikata told Bernama that the visit marks Iwaya’s first official trip to Malaysia since his appointment as Foreign Minister last October.
He said the visit emphasises Japan’s strong support for Asean centrality and highlights the close bilateral ties between Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur.
“This visit reflects Japan’s deep engagement with South-East Asia and our commitment to working closely with Malaysia on key regional and global issues – from humanitarian support and energy transition to education and maritime security,” he said in an exclusive interview here on Saturday.
Malaysia is hosting the 58th AMM at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 8 to 11.
Japan became Asean’s first dialogue partner in 1973, formalising the partnership in 1977.
Over the decades, Japan has steadily expanded its engagement with Asean, joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2004, appointing a dedicated ambassador to Asean in 2010, and establishing its permanent mission in Jakarta the following year.
In 2023, Asean and Japan elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting Tokyo’s enduring support for Asean centrality and regional cooperation across political, economic and socio-cultural pillars.
Among Japan’s key regional initiatives is Ceapad, launched in 2013 to coordinate support for Palestine’s development.
Ceapad IV, co-hosted by Japan and Malaysia, is scheduled on Friday.
