Japan and Malaysia vow stronger energy, maritime security ties

Speaking to reporters after the summit, Takaichi said talks on defense areas included signing a coast guard cooperation document aimed at ensuring safe and free navigation in regional waters. 

The meeting at the end of Anwar's three-day visit to Japan came as the countries seek to strengthen their "comprehensive strategic" partnership with an eye to next year's 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Sanae Takaichi said she is confident their agreements will "enhance the autonomy and resilience of Japan and Malaysia, as well as the wider region," and pledged to use the meeting as an "opportunity to further deepen ties."

The leaders confirmed their commitment to bolstering regional energy security as ongoing global economic uncertainty from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is of particular concern to resource-scarce Asian countries.

Anwar pledged stable supplies to Japan of liquefied natural gas and other products, including naphtha, an oil derivative necessary to make chemicals used in a wide range of products, a joint statement said.

Malaysia is a key energy exporter for resource-poor Japan, accounting for around 15 percent of its LNG supplies. Most crude oil bound for Japan also travels through the Strait of Malacca, a key trade route between Malaysia and Indonesia.

The two leaders also agreed to deepen cooperation on strengthening supply chains including those of critical minerals, while working with like-minded countries and institutions, the statement said.

In defense areas, the leaders confirmed the continued implementation of Japan's official security assistance for supporting like-minded countries, which, since 2023, has provided defense equipment such as rescue boats and surveillance drones to Malaysia.

Anwar welcomed changes to Japan's defense policy in April that enabled the export of equipment with lethal capabilities to some partner countries, as it "greatly expands the possibilities of defense cooperation between the two countries."

Japan is a major exporter of electrical equipment and auto parts to Malaysia. The joint statement said the countries have agreed to create a Japan-Malaysia AI Platform to support domestic AI firms in responding to social challenges.

As the United States and China lead the global race for AI innovation, Takaichi has called on Southeast Asian nations to work with Japan in developing AI models that reflect local languages and cater to the region's economic and business needs.

The meeting was their first since talks in Kuala Lumpur in October on the sidelines of summit meetings involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Later Wednesday, Takaichi met with Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Tokyo. The leaders agreed to advance cooperation to strengthen regional energy and resource security as well as supply-chain resilience, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

Japan and Laos agreed to boost their ties to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" in 2025. Sonexay is in Japan for three days through Friday, and the visit is his third to the country as prime minister.

As previously reported, S. Korea’s President and Japan’s Prime Minister met in Andong.