Anwar To Address Nikkei Forum, Seek New Japanese Investments During Three-Day Visit To Japan

KUALA LUMPUR,June,2026 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake a three-day official visit to Japan from June 8 to 10, 2026, at the invitation of the Japanese government, as Malaysia seeks to strengthen diplomatic, economic and investment ties with one of its most important Asian partners.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Anwar will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, and senior government officials.

During the visit, Anwar will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony before holding a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed that Takaichi will meet Anwar during the visit.

The meeting is expected to give both leaders an opportunity to review the progress of Malaysia-Japan relations and explore new areas of cooperation following the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in December 2023.

Key areas expected to be discussed include green technology, energy resilience and transition, environmental cooperation, defence and regional security, and higher education cooperation. Both leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Anwar is also scheduled to deliver a special lecture at Tokyo University and a keynote address at the 31st Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia, one of the region’s key international platforms for political, economic and academic dialogue.

The 31st Future of Asia forum will be held in Tokyo from June 10 to 11, 2026, under the theme “Working together for a more resilient and prosperous Asia.” The forum brings together leaders and experts from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss regional challenges, economic direction and Asia’s role in a changing global order.

Anwar’s participation in the forum is expected to highlight Malaysia’s position on regional cooperation, economic resilience, sustainable growth and shared prosperity in Asia. His keynote address will also allow Malaysia to present its policy direction to investors, policymakers and regional stakeholders.

The visit also carries a strong economic agenda. Recognising Japan’s long-standing role as a major source of foreign direct investment and a key economic partner, Anwar is scheduled to take part in business roundtable sessions with Japanese industry leaders to explore new high-value investment opportunities in Malaysia.

These roundtables are expected to focus on sectors that align with Malaysia’s current development priorities, including green technology, advanced manufacturing, energy transition, digital economy, industrial upgrading and high-value services.

Japan remains one of Malaysia’s most important economic partners. According to Wisma Putra, Japan has ranked as Malaysia’s fifth-largest trading partner globally since 2024, with total bilateral trade reaching RM142.96 billion, or US$33.39 billion, in 2025.

As of December 2025, a total of 2,872 manufacturing projects involving Japanese participation had been implemented in Malaysia, with investments amounting to RM107.9 billion, or US$31 billion. These projects have generated 347,346 employment opportunities, showing Japan’s long-term contribution to Malaysia’s industrial growth and job creation.

The visit is therefore not only diplomatic, but also strategic for Malaysia’s economic agenda. At a time when regional supply chains are shifting and countries are competing for high-quality investments, Malaysia is positioning itself as a stable and attractive destination for Japanese companies.

Japan’s investment presence in Malaysia has traditionally covered sectors such as manufacturing, electrical and electronics, automotive, machinery, chemicals and precision engineering. The new round of engagement may help push cooperation into emerging sectors such as clean energy, hydrogen, battery technology, semiconductors, digital infrastructure and green industrial solutions.

The focus on energy resilience and transition is especially relevant as both countries seek to balance industrial growth with climate and sustainability goals. Malaysia has been working to attract green investment and develop cleaner energy systems, while Japan has expertise in technology, financing and industrial innovation.

Defence and regional security cooperation are also expected to be discussed, reflecting the wider strategic importance of Malaysia-Japan relations. Both countries are part of a region facing growing geopolitical uncertainty, maritime security challenges and shifting economic power dynamics.

Higher education cooperation may also be important, especially given the long history of Malaysia’s Look East Policy. Japan has played a major role in training Malaysian students, professionals and technical talent, making education a key pillar of bilateral ties.

Anwar’s visit is also his third visit to Japan as prime minister since taking office in 2022, following earlier visits in December 2023 and May 2024, according to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This shows the continued importance of Japan in Malaysia’s foreign policy and economic diplomacy. Regular high-level engagement helps maintain momentum in bilateral cooperation and gives both governments room to update priorities based on current regional conditions.

For Malaysia, the visit provides an opportunity to strengthen investor confidence and present the country’s economic direction directly to Japanese business leaders. It also allows Putrajaya to reinforce Malaysia’s role as a strategic gateway to Asean.

For Japan, Malaysia remains a key partner in Southeast Asia, offering political stability, industrial capacity, strategic location and access to regional markets. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership gives both countries a stronger framework to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, education, security and sustainability.

Anwar’s three-day official visit to Japan is expected to strengthen Malaysia-Japan relations across multiple areas, from diplomacy and trade to green technology, regional security and investment. With business roundtables, a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and a keynote address at the Nikkei Forum, the visit will place Malaysia’s economic and regional agenda before one of Asia’s most influential policy and business audiences.