Takaichi announces Japan and Malaysia will deepen maritime security cooperation and conduct joint exercises.

Takaichi announces Japan and Malaysia will deepen maritime security cooperation and conduct joint exercises.

[Japan-Malaysia Summit Meeting] On June 10, 2026, Prime Minister Takaichi held a summit meeting with H.E. Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, at the Prime Minister’s Office. Following a salute and guard of honor ceremony, the two leaders held a meeting, after which they held a joint press occasion. Finally, they held a working lunch. Prime Minister Takaichi stated as follows at the joint press occasion: "Good afternoon. First of all, I would like to extend my heartfelt welcome to Prime Minister Anwar on his visit to Japan. Japan and Malaysia, as Comprehensive and Strategic Partners, have been advancing cooperation across a wide range of fields. Our partnership with Malaysia, which shares fundamental values and principles with Japan, is of critical importance to realizing the updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). During today’s meeting, and with a view to the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries in 2027, we reaffirmed our determination to further mutually enrich the bonds that have been cultivated through Malaysia’s "Look East Policy". In the area of security, we shared the view that cooperation in maritime security is of particular importance. We agreed to continue joint exercises between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Royal Malaysian Navy, as well as capacity-building assistance through the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework. We also witnessed the signing of a Memorandyum of Cooperation between our respective coast guard authorities. I am confident that this document will further deepen Japan–Malaysia maritime cooperation, including through joint exercises, as countries that share sea lanes. Malaysia is also an important partner for Japan in trade and investment. I see strong synergies between the MADANI policy being advanced by Prime Minister Anwar and the growth strategy that I have advocated. We will further promote public- and private-sector cooperation based on the growth strategies of our two countries. At a time when uncertainty in the global energy environment is increasing, cooperation with Malaysia—a stable supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Japan—is becoming even more important. During our summit meeting, we agreed to work together under the "POWERR Asia" initiative to strengthen energy and resource security, including in LNG and fertilizer feedstocks. We also confirmed that Japan and Malaysia will further deepen concrete cooperation to strengthen the resilience of critical mineral supply chains, while working closely with like-minded partners as well as institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank. In this regard, I am pleased that documents concerning cooperation on energy security and energy transition, as well as cooperation on resource circulation for critical minerals, were exchanged today. As the international environment grows increasingly challenging, I am convinced that these initiatives will enhance the a