PUTRAJAYA, November 6 — Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has expressed satisfaction with Japan’s assurances regarding the treated water discharged from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. He noted the International Atomic Energy Agency’s report on the minimal radiological impact on marine life following the release. However, Anwar stressed the importance of Japan addressing the concerns raised by Malaysia and other regional countries due to the transboundary effects of this action.
During a joint press conference with Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, Anwar also mentioned that Malaysia would continue importing products from Japan. On another note, Anwar announced that the 50th-anniversary celebration of Asean-Japan Dialogue Relations would be held in Tokyo in mid-December. He expressed hope that bilateral issues between Malaysia and Japan in areas like defense, security, education, and energy transition would be discussed and finalized during the event. Anwar also commended Japan for its commitment to support Asean initiatives, particularly the five-point consensus aimed at bringing peace to Myanmar.
Kishida’s visit to Malaysia was significant as it coincided with the 50th Anniversary of Asean-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Japan has been Malaysia’s fourth-largest trading partner for eight consecutive years since 2015. In 2022, trade with Japan was valued at RM181.51 billion (US$41.21 billion), contributing 6.4% to Malaysia’s total trade. As of June 2023, Japanese companies had implemented 2,778 projects in Malaysia, with investments amounting to RM91.89 billion (US$27.43 billion).
